Defamation: Ex-Yaba LCDA Council Leader, Solomon Gbinigie, Demands Retraction, Apology

RE: DEFAMATORY MEDIA PUBLICATIONS AGAINST HON. SOLOMON GBINIGIE MSc :A DEMAND FOR RETRACTION AND APOLOGY.

Our attention has been drawn to a series of defamatory and malicious media publications that seek to unjustly tarnish the reputation of Hon. Solomon Gbinigie MSc.

These baseless allegations represent a calculated and orchestrated campaign of character assassination, grounded in falsehoods, designed to mislead the public.

We hereby categorically refute all such claims and offer a comprehensive rebuttal to these defamatory attacks.It must be made clear that Hon. Solomon Gbinigie’s impeachment was not the result of any alleged financial impropriety or abuse of office but was instead a politically motivated act sponsored by the Executive Chairman of Yaba LCDA.

The Chairman’s primary grievance was Hon. Gbinigie’s refusal to give up his rightful UK seminar slot for the Deputy. Furthermore, Hon. Gbinigie’s insistence on upholding high standards for public projects, particularly in road construction, has drawn the ire of those intent on using these projects as vehicles for personal enrichment.

Regarding the erroneous claim that Hon. Gbinigie has attended three foreign seminars, this is unequivocally false. He has attended only ‘one’ such trip, which was a personal holiday in France, following the cancellation of the council seminar due to visa issues.

The attempt to portray him as having benefited from multiple foreign trips is a deliberate distortion of the truth. Additionally, claims, that Hon. Gbinigie collected N500,000 from a contractor, is misleading.

He was duly reimbursed N500,000 for a valid UK visa, which he had already procured at his own expense. There was no impropriety in this transaction.The allegation that Hon. Gbinigie signed legislative documents without approval is equally false.

We demand that those making this accusation produce any verifiable evidence to support their claim. Hon. Gbinigie has always acted in strict accordance with council regulations, guided by transparency, integrity, and adherence to due process.

These defamatory publications also demonstrate a blatant violation of Nigeria’s laws concerning cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, any person who knowingly sends or causes to be sent a message or other matter by means of a computer system or network that is grossly offensive, false, or intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, or needless anxiety, is guilty of an offense.

The law further specifies that offenders are liable to a fine of up to N7,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years, or both. This constitutes cyberstalking, and it is clear that the malicious publications in question fall within the parameters of this law.Additionally, Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to privacy, including the protection of reputation.

The defamatory publications in question are a direct assault on Hon. Gbinigie’s constitutional rights. This assault, coupled with the spread of falsehoods through digital platforms, constitutes an illegal attempt to degrade his public standing and personal integrity, which will not be tolerated.

It is imperative that those responsible for this sustained campaign of character assassination understand the serious legal implications of their actions. Character defamation and the dissemination of false information through digital platforms are not only unethical but also illegal. We hereby demand an immediate retraction of all defamatory content and an unreserved public apology within 14 days.

Failure to comply will result in the initiation of legal proceedings, with the full weight of the law brought to bear on all responsible parties. This serves as a final warning. The deliberate attempt to assassinate the character of Hon. Solomon Gbinigie MSc will not be permitted to continue unchecked.

The Nigerian legal system is equipped to handle cases of defamation, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, and those who believe they can operate with impunity are gravely mistaken. Legal consequences are imminent should these defamatory attacks persist.