Alleged defamation: Senator Effiong Bob demands N50 million, apology from newspaper editor

*Threatens criminal, civil action

Joseph Atainyang

Senator Effiong Dickson Bob has given the Editor in-Chief of The Post seven days to pay him N50 million damages over alleged defamation of his character.

Besides the N50m demanded for damages, Bob also requires the editor to publish an apology in the newspaper for allegedly defaming him.

Senator Effiong Bob represented Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District from 2003 and 2011.

A letter addressed to the Post Editor through his lawyers, Samuel Ikpo & Company (Barristers & Solicitors) dated 28th July and duly endorsed by Abundance Akpan, cited volume 14 No 13 of Wednesday, 28th July edition of the newspaper.

The letter described the publication as containing harmful publicity against Senator Bob on its front Page with the title, “2023 Guber: Effiong Bob dares Udom Emmamuel: Declares, says anyone chosen by Gov Udom will fail.”

The letter regretted that the story, which continued in page 6 of the newspaper, has circulated within and outside the country, including the Internet and read widely with people expressing disgust and disapproval.

According to the solicitors, “By the said publication, you meant and were understood to mean that our client is disloyal to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, as a result of betrayal of trust.”

It further explained that the publication “has injured the reputation of Senator Bob and has lowered him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public who now shun and avoid him”, stressing that he “has been exposed to ridicule and public opprobrium.”

The senator’s lawyers who highlighted that the Senator has never granted any interview to the Editor or any member of his tabloid, pointed out that their client is now seen as disloyal to his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

He added that his client was facing the risk of being suspended or disciplined for daring the leader of the party in the state.

The solicitors, in the letter, asked for the retraction of the offending publication in the same media it was published.

The letter stated that the editor must “pay the sum of N50 million to this chamber for onward transmission to our client to assuage the losses suffered by him as a result of the offending publication.”

“Take notice that if these demands are not met within seven clear days upon the receipt of this letter, we shall have no option than commence criminal and civil action against you,” the letter added.