- “21 Edo Govt. Vehicles”missing, I Stand By My Claim — Tenebe
- Withdraw ‘Defamatory’ Statement Within 3 Days Or Face Court Action — Ighodalo
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, in the state have been trading words over an alleged defamation claim made by the former.
Tenebe fired the first salvo when he accused Ighodalo of corruption and misappropriation of funds claiming that under him., 21 government vehicles” are missing from the Edo State Government.
The APC chairman made the accusation during an interview with journalists following a gaffe committed by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
He said his claim was informed by the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee and the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee.
Tenebe noted that the reports indicted Ighodalo, who was the Economic adviser to ex-governor, Godwin Obaseki, for eight years.
The APC chairman was quoted as sayng: “…the social media has been agog with our governor’s budget presentation about a mistake on a 650 billion naira and the rest of it. It’s a normal thing, Zuma made such mistake, and a lot of people make such mistakes. I don’t know figures. You see, that is how to know original and innocent people.
“…Asue Ighodalo will not make such mistake,…” because he has made inappropriate decisions regarding funds.
But in a swift reaction, a Legal firm, Banwo & Ighodalo, has taken final steps to institute legal action against Jarrett Tenebe, describing his claims against of its founding partner, Asue Ighodalo as “defamatory”.
In a letter dated December 18, 2024, and signed by Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), the firm condemned Tenebe’s accusations, describing them as “libelous, reckless, and unfounded.”
The firm noted that these allegations persist despite a December 11 letter demanding an immediate retraction and apology. Tenebe has now been given three days to withdraw the statements or face formal court proceedings.
In a separate statement signed by Erhabor Emokpae, the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) refuted the allegations, describing them as a calculated smear campaign aimed at distracting the public and tarnishing Mr. Ighodalo’s reputation.
TAMO clarified that Alaghodaro, which Ighodalo chaired, is a private-sector-led initiative focused on fostering economic growth and investments in Edo State.
The statement also highlighted Ighodalo’s integrity and selflessness, noting that he has personally funded his expenses throughout his 16 years of public service, including his time as Chairman of Alaghodaro.
The accusations regarding the theft of government vehicles were dismissed as baseless, absurd, and unsupported by any evidence.
Banwo & Ighodalo reiterated its resolve to pursue all legal remedies if the defamatory statements are not retracted within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, Tenebe, has refused to shift his ground stressing that he stands by the comments made against Ighodalo
The stance of the APC chairman was conveyed in a statement issued by his lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere Esq. of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners, dated 17th December 2024.
He added that the alleged video is devoid of any atom of defamation, insisting that as the Edo state APC Chairman, he made the comments in accordance with his rights of free speech as a citizen of Nigeria.
Agbomhere in the letter further said; “We further want to state unequivocally that our client did not defame your client in anyway and as such, there is no need for a public apology or retraction of comments made in the alleged video.
“But if your client decides to stretch this issue further by going to court, we will rely on the defense of justification in accordance with the report of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee whose report indicted your client and the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee.”
