Emefiele Demands N25 Billion As Damages From Akpabio Over ‘Defamatory Remark

Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has filed N25 billion lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over an alleged defamatory statement.

In his remarks on Sunday, Akpabio said that Emefiele is facing many allegations, leaving the federal government unsure of which charges to pursue against him.

Furthermore, the Senate president attributed the country’s economic challenges to the policies implemented by the former CBN governor.

In a letter dated February 19, Matthew Burkaa, legal counsel to Emefiele, highlighted concerns over Akpabio’s statement, especially given the pending legal proceedings against the former CBN governor, which are presently being defended to prove his innocence.

Burkaa emphasized that Akpabio’s remarks could prejudice the case and undermine the court’s integrity.

The letter also criticized Akpabio’s attribution of Nigeria’s economic woes solely to Emefiele, considering Akpabio’s significant role in the previous administration and his firsthand witness to Emefiele’s contributions to the banking sector and the nation’s economy.

Burkaa stated that Emefiele’s actions during his tenure as CBN governor were subject to presidential and Federal Executive Council approval, where Akpabio held considerable influence.

The letter demanded a written, published, and circulated apology from Akpabio, along with the payment of N25 billion as reasonable compensation for the unjustifiable tarnishing of Emefiele’s reputation.

“Your Excellency, as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you certainly know, or have reasons to know that the Federal Government of Nigeria had since the 14th August, 2023 preferred Charges against Our Client to which he had long pleaded not guilty and is presently defending same to exonerate himself and show that he is not guilty of the said allegations,” the letter reads.

“It is therefore disturbing that such a statement would be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that is clearly subjudice.

“Your statement, with the greatest respect, clearly undermines the honour and integrity of the Court and its independence and indeed has the propensity of prejudicing the case against Our Client.

“Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court, it is only fair and proper that the Court should be allowed to determine the issues submitted to it without unnecessary pressure from any other arm of Government.

“Secondly Sir, as a Senior member of the Bar, a former Governor of a State, A Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Minister under the immediate past Administration, Your statement attributing the present economic woes of the country solely on Our Client is most appalling and exposes the inaccuracies in Your assertions.

“Especially, as you were a major player in the immediate Past Administration and worked closely with Our Client and indeed witnessed the innovations he introduced in the banking sector and its impact on the economy whilst in office.

“As well as the role he played despite all odds in salvaging Nigeria in the P & ID Saga and the positive result it brought for Nigeria.

“You are also aware that no single policy was carried out by Our Client without the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Executive Council of which you were a key and powerful member.

“We therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character and the sum of Twenty-Five Billion Naira (N25,000,000,000) as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard earned reputation.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Godwin Emefiele’s wife, Margaret was recently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).