Edo guber: Ighodalo sues Oshiomhole over alleged defamatory comments

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo sued Senator Adams Oshiomhole over comments on the Planwell scheme.

Ighodalo slammed the former governor with a N20 billion lawsuit.

The governorship candidate, through his counsel, Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, also sought an immediate retraction and apology for the false, defamatory, and malicious comments which should be published in at least two (2) National Television Networks and three (3) nationally circulating newspapers.

He noted that the allegations by Oshiomhole were baseless, false, and malicious, describing them as another of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the recent past.

According to him, the fabrication of the unfounded and false story is a figment of Oshiomhole’s imagination intended to denigrate his good character and reputation for the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of Oshiomhole’s party and candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

A letter by Ighodalo’s lawyers dated September 16, 2024, and addressed to Oshiomhole reads, “We are counsel to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election.

“It is our information that at a campaign rally of your Party on Saturday, 14th of September, 2024, you made statements to the effect that our aforesaid client, Dr. Ighodalo, was associated with or participated in an alleged pyramid scheme known as ‘PLANWELL’ in which numerous Nigerians were defrauded of their hard-earned funds.

“This false and unfounded statement of yours was broadcast live on television and has received extensive exposure on electronic and social media.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends.”