Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, is demanding N20 billion in damages from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North District in the National Assembly, over alleged defamatory remarks.
The former governor, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally last Saturday in Benin, accused Ighodalo and others of involvement in the “PLANWELL” Ponzi scheme, which defrauded many Edo residents in the past.
Ighodalo has repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged scheme.
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In response to Oshiomhole’s statements, the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Chief Ayo Asala SAN of Ayo Asala and Associates, expressed disappointment in a letter dated September 16, 2024.
Titled *”Re: Defamatory Statements Made In Respect Of Dr. Asue Ighodalo,”* the letter reads: “It is disheartening to note that despite your status as an elder and public office holder, you seem to have developed a habit of making false statements in the public sphere solely for political gain.”
“This baseless, unfounded, false and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past.
“Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain.
“Our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported ‘PLANWELL’ scheme with which you have seriously defamed our client’s reputation.
“It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said ‘PLANWELL’ scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever, is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo State Gubernatorial Elections.”
Ayo added that his client, Ighodalo has been inundated with calls from concerned members of the public, associates, acquaintances as a result of the former governor’s alleged malicious accusations.
In consequence, the learned senior lawyer demanded “an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory and malicious statements which should be published in at least two national television networks and three nationally circulating newspapers.
“Pay to our client damages in the sum of N20 billion Naira for your false, defamatory and malicious statements referred to herein,”
The letter further asserted that failure to comply with the above demands will lead to legal actions without further notice.