The Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday gave seven-day notice to a former
chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, to retract
and apologise for his recent public pronouncements against him.
Mr. Dogara said Mr. Jibrin’s
publication of a series of “libellous” materials in the media was done in “bad
faith” and had caused “disaffection” between Nigerians and the House.
In the letter, which was written and
dispatched on behalf of Mr. Dogara by his lawyers, Messrs. Professor Joash
Amupitan and Co., the Speaker said Mr. Jibrin’s failure to comply with his
request would have grave legal consequences.
“Take notice that in the event of
your failure/refusal to comply with the above-mentioned demands within seven
(7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to
institute a suit against you in a court of law.”
Copies of the letter were sent to
PREMIUM TIMES by Mr. Dogara’s spokesman, Turaki Hassan.
Mr. Dogara’s attorney said the
Speaker had been subjected to “public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule”
following Mr. Jibrin’s allegations, which were widely circulated in the media.
“Consequently, we consider your
publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act
of vendetta owing to your recent removal as the Chairman of House Committee on
Appropriation,” the letter, signed by Joash Amupitan, a principal partner in
the firm, said.
Mr. Jibrin had been circulating
allegations of budget padding, incompetence and breach of trust against Mr.
Dogara since he was removed as chair of the appropriation committee a week ago.
Mr. Jibrin’s lawyers also wrote to
Mr. Dogara on July 22, warning the Speaker to desist from victimising their
client.
View copies of Mr. Dogara’s letter below:
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