Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has retracted his allegedly defamatory statements against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Umaru Damagumu and the party’s Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
In a letter dated December 6, 2024, issued by his law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, Mr. Adeyanju expressed his regret over the remarks.
The letter, signed by Zainab Otega, was addressed to Mr Damagun and Mr Anyanwu’s lawyer, Mr Johnson Usman of SAN.
According to Mr. Otega, it is regrettable that Mr. Adeyanju’s above statement is considered defamatory, and he will withdraw it along with an apology.
The letter reads: “We are the lawyers of Deji Adeyanju Esq. (hereinafter referred to as the Client) and we are acting in accordance with his instructions.
“Our client received two letters from the law firm of J.J. Usman, a respected senior lawyer in Nigeria. The charges were deemed to be defamation of Mr. Damagun and Mr. Anyanwu, the National Chairman and Secretary of the PDP, respectively.
“My client’s comments on the podcast were taken out of the larger context of the conversation about the need for leaders of the People’s Democratic Party to form a vigorous opposition to the ruling party.
“These statements were not intended to slander our clients, and if we were aware that the statements were defamatory, we regret it and will withdraw them with an apology.”
“As human rights activists, our clients remain committed to the betterment of Nigeria and will continue to urge our leaders to put the interests of Nigerians above personal interests.”
Mr. Adeyanju on Wednesday accused Mr. Damagun of serving tea and Mr. Anyanwu serving “Kirishi” at the house of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.
He made this assertion while unveiling Mr Tinubu’s plan to field a PDP presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyanju, who was featured on the Honest Bunch podcast, claimed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Damagum are spies for Tinubu in the PDP.
He said: “The current PDP is in Wike’s pocket at the national level and he installed the current PDP National Chairman who goes to serve tea to Femi Gbajabiamila’s house.”
“While Damagum is serving tea, PDP national secretary Sam Anyanwu goes to the kitchen to serve tea to Kirisi, they are the heads of PDP.
“These are the Tinubu moles, the same as Abure, the APC mole of the LP.No one challenges the system because there is no opposition.Who else is speaking, except some of us? Are you there?”
Following the accusations, Damagun and Anyanwu threatened to file civil and criminal proceedings against Adeyanju for alleged defamation.
