… Threatens N5bn law suit against purveyor of fake news
A governorship hopeful of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Sir Chikwe Udensi, has dismissed the rumour that he is planning to dump his party for the Youth Progressive Party (YPP), describing it as a criminal falsehood.
Udensi, a philanthropist of note, expressed anger over what he called mischievous lie against him, insisting that he has no knowledge of what YPP is about let alone joining.
He described the people behind the rumouras as criminal-minded fellows, confirming that he has briefed his lawyers to commence legal action against them.
Udensi also said if elected governor in 2023, he will sanitise the online media practice, and initiate a legal framework to deal with the spread of fake news.
Meanwhile, the security expert has demanded a retraction of the fake news, a public apology and payment of N5billion from the publishers of The Whispers News for what he called defamatory falsehood against his person.
In a letter addressed to the publisher of the medium titled, “DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RETRACTION OF FALSE AND DEFAMATORY WORDS, TENDERING OF UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY AND PROPOSAL FOR PAYMENT OF FIVE BILLION NAIRA DAMAGES” and signed by his counsel Kalu Kalu Agu Esq., he wondered why the media platform could not investigate the source of its story before publishing, describing it as a deliberate attempt to damage his character.
“Accordingly, it is without doubt that you chose your words intentionally knowing that they are false and defamatory in the extreme without engaging in investigative journalism to balance your reportage on the said issue. Already our client has been inundated with several derisive calls arising from the fact that your words have attracted spite, odium and hatred for him. “Our client is currently, on account of your misguided defamatory publication, losing teeming support base, political structures in Abia state (which he spent hundreds of millions of naira to set up), finances as well as business associates who are now pulling out from him because of your defamatory publication. Every passing day, our client is losing hundreds of millions of Naira as a result of your action,” the letter added.
Udensi also requested that the medium to publish a widespread clarification for seven (7) consecutive days.
He warned that if this is not done within seven days, he will initiate legal action and claim exemplary and aggravated damages.