Lawyers give Accord Party candidate, radio station 48 hours to retract alleged claims linking lawmaker to murder, firearms and intimidation
The legal team representing Hon. Emmanuel Olusanya Omirin, member of the House of Representatives for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Alaba Popoola Ibrahim, the Accord Party candidate for the constituency, and Rave FM, Osogbo, demanding a public retraction, apology and written undertaking over alleged defamatory statements broadcast on the station's political programme, Oro Oselu.
The demand was contained in a letter dated October 27, 2026, signed by J.B. Alacy, Esq., and E.V. Akhere, Esq., solicitors to Omirin.
According to the letter, the lawmaker's lawyers accused Popoola of making false and malicious allegations during his appearance on the programme, allegedly accusing Omirin of intimidating residents with firearms and committing murder following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The solicitors stated that the broadcast had been recorded, preserved and widely circulated on social media platforms.
They described the allegations as false and unsubstantiated, arguing that the statements portrayed their client as a perpetrator of serious criminal offences and could damage his reputation and incite hatred or violence against him during the election period.
48-HOUR ULTIMATUM
The lawyers demanded that Popoola issue an unconditional public retraction of the alleged defamatory statements, record a video apology addressed to Omirin, and ensure that the apology receives comparable prominence to the original broadcast.
They also demanded a written undertaking that the Accord Party candidate would not repeat the allegations or make similar defamatory publications.
In addition, the solicitors called for the preservation and surrender of recordings, transcripts and social media posts relating to the disputed broadcast.
RAVE FM ALSO ON NOTICE
The radio station was equally directed to preserve the unedited master recording of the programme, remove the offending broadcast and related clips from its online platforms, air the retraction and apology, and grant Omirin an immediate right of reply.
The lawyers further demanded written assurance from the station that it would comply with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
They argued that Rave FM, as a licensed broadcaster, had a responsibility to ensure fairness, factual accuracy and balanced coverage, adding that the station should not amplify defamatory or violence-inciting material.
THREAT OF ₦500 MILLION LAWSUIT
The solicitors warned that failure to meet the demands within 48 hours of receipt or service of the letter would trigger legal and regulatory actions against the two parties without further notice.
Among the proposed actions is a civil suit at the High Court seeking ₦500 million in aggravated and exemplary damages, alongside orders for a public retraction, apology and a perpetual injunction against further publication of the disputed allegations.
The lawyers also threatened to pursue criminal complaints over alleged criminal defamation and cyberstalking, petition the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged electoral offences, and lodge a formal complaint against Rave FM with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
They added that the matter could be reported to relevant security agencies over concerns about alleged threats to life and public peace.
'WE WILL NOT CONDONE FALSE ACCUSATIONS'
Reaffirming their client's position, the solicitors stated that Omirin welcomed robust, issue-based political contestation but would not tolerate what they characterised as false and malicious accusations of hooliganism and murder.
The letter was addressed to Popoola and the General Manager/Head of Programmes of Rave FM, Osogbo, the producers of Oro Oselu, and was marked for delivery by hand, registered post, email and publication on social media.
As of the time of this report, the letter's claims and demands represent the position of Omirin's legal representatives. No response from Popoola or Rave FM was contained in the document made available for this report, and the allegations have not been independently established.
KAKAKIOODUA Online Media will update this report if responses are received from the parties concerned.
No comments:
Post a Comment