Defamation:Ex-Yaba Council Leader, Solomon Gbinigie, Insists On Retraction, Apology

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

Hon. Solomon Gbinigie on Monday refuted series of defamatory allegations leveied against him by some undisclosed individuals.

Gbinigie said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

The statement disclosed that the malicious media publications were driven to unjustly malign him and tarnish his reputation.

“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,” the statement said.

The statement noted that the impeachment of Gbinigie was not as a result of the alleged financial impropriety.

It further states that the allegations were sponsored by a faction.

“It must be made clear that Hon. Solomon Gbinigie’s impeachment was not the result of any alleged financial impropriety or abuse of office.

“These allegations was a political 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,” it stated.

Furthermore, the statement said that the insistence of 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,” it said.

“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.