A radio presenter identified as Akanda Oro, popularly known as Awikonko, has been sued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for saying he had a hand in the assassination of the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), and the slain National Vice-Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Marshall Harry.
The radio presenter who spoke during a live radio program, alleged that Obasanjo killed Ige and President Muhammadu Buhari had even claimed at the burial of the late Harry that the Obasanjo-led government sponsored the killing of the ANPP chieftain.
He was quoted saying;
“Obasanjo’s murder of Bola Ige, if not for the shortage of time, I would have listed the names of those murdered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his regime.
“Bloodshed during Obasanjo Aremu’s regime was too much (foolish old man).
“There are repercussions for every evil deed done… In case you hear of my death, do not be sad. Perhaps this is the only mission I have been sent by God to accomplish.
“The fellow that killed a whole minister of justice and attorney general of the federation went scot-free.
“So, what will it cost him to kill me, a commoner? Let him go and commit suicide or take himself before Ogun shrine to swear that he does not know anything about the murder of Bola Ige and Marshall Harry or that all his children die in his lifetime.”
However reacting to the claim, former President Olusegun Obasanjo through his lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN), described the allegation as malicious and false. The former President who asked that Awikonko retract the publication, in the suit FCT/HC/CV/2920/18 filed before Justice O.A. Adenyi of Apo Federal Capital Territory High Court, is also demanding one billion naira as general damages for the defamation of the claimant’s hard earned reputation.
The suit reads in part;
“A declaration that the publication complained of are false, malicious, unjustified, injurious, scornful, distasteful, unsavoury and have exposed the claimant to public odium, ridicule and disdain both nationally and internationally.
“A declaration that the words complained of do not constitute a valid exercise by the defendant of his freedom of speech.
“The sum of one billion naira only against the defendant as general damages for the defamation of the claimant’s hard earned reputation.”
