Nnamdi Kanu demands public apology, N20bn from Malami over defamation, libel

He went further to ask that the said apology letter should be published in two national dailies, as well as demanding N20 billion for damages.

This was contained in a letter dated 21st November, 2022 signed by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor and addressed to Malami.

Ejimakor claimed Malami in several publications had said Kanu jumped bail in 2017. He quoted the Justice Minister as saying, “Let me talk first of the rule of law.

“This is someone that has been granted bail on account of charges that have been preferred against him at the court. Someone jumping bail to international community, a case of fugitive is established against the background of jumping the bail.”

Reacting to Malami’s statement, Ejimakor said, “In view of the said Judgment of the Abia State High Court, your above utterances were false, malicious and reckless and they were read and heard worldwide and portrayed our Client in the following light:

“A person who obstructs the course of justice by jumping bail.

“A deceitful and dodgy person who obtained bail by false pretences and the intention of jumping it.

“An untrustworthy person, who is morally depraved and undeserving of the favourable discretions of the court.

“An irresponsible person that has no regard for the sanctity of being granted bail.

“To be sure, your said libelous utterances were circulated and read by millions of people around the world, particularly in Abia State and Nigeria where our Client has many friends, family, colleagues, admirers, mentees, well-wishers and millions of followers.

“Your said libelous publications have seriously injured our Client’s character, credit, reputation and integrity. You have by your defamatory actions brought our Client to scandal, contempt, odium, public humiliation and embarrassment for which he is entitled to monetary damages, injunctive relief and apology.”

Kanu’s demands from Malami

He further said, “In view of the foregoing, our Client claims against you in the following particulars:

“The sum of N20,000,000,000.00 (Twenty Billion Naira only) being general and exemplary damages.

“An unreserved personal letter of apology, to be prominently and boldly published full-page in two Nigerian Newspapers of national circulation, namely: Guardian Newspaper and Sun Newspaper.

“You shall write and deliver to your superior officer(s) and/or your employer(s) a Legal Opinion to the effect that our Client did not jump bail in view of the 19th January 2022 Judgment of the High Court of Abia State.”

The IPOB leader, therefore, threatened to drag Malami to court if he refuses to honour his demands.

He said, “The foregoing demands are without prejudice to other options or terms for settlement that you may counter-propose in response to this Letter. We, therefore, request that, with a view to settling this claim out of court, you respond to this Letter by Legal Mail (to the email on this Letterhead) within three (3) days of the receipt of this Letter. In the event that you fail to do so, our Client shall immediately commence legal proceedings against you without any further notice.”