Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has formally withdrawn alleged defamatory remarks made against, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagun and the acting National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
In a letter dated December 6, Adeyanju’s law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, conveyed an apology through its representative, Zainab Otega, to Johnson Usman, SAN, counsel to Damagun and Anyanwu.
The letter clarified that the statements, made during a podcast, were not intended to defame the PDP leaders. It also expressed regret over any misinterpretations that might have arisen.
“We are solicitors to Deji Adeyanju, Esq (hereinafter referred to as our client), on whose instruction we act,” the letter began.
It noted that Adeyanju had received letters from Johnson Usman, SAN, accusing him of defaming Damagun and Anyanwu during a recent podcast appearance.
“Our client’s statements on the podcast were taken out of the bigger context of the conversation which is the need for the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party to provide a virile opposition to the ruling party.
“These statements were not intended to defame your clients, and any perception of defamation in the said statements is regretted and withdrawn with apologies.
“As a human rights activist, our client remains committed to the betterment of Nigeria and will continue to urge those in leadership to prioritise the interest of Nigerians over and above personal interest,” the letter concluded.
The controversy stems from comments Adeyanju made on The Honest Bunch podcast, where he alleged that Damagun and Anyanwu were compromised by the ruling party.
Specifically, he accused Damagun of “serving tea” and Anyanwu of “serving Kilishi” at the residence of Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
He also claimed the two PDP leaders were moles working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeyanju stated, “The current PDP is in Wike’s pocket at the national level. He installed the current PDP National chairman who goes to serve tea in Femi Gbajabiamila’s house. While Damagun is serving tea, PDP’s National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, goes to the kitchen to serve Kilishi. They are the people in charge of the PDP.
“These are Tinubu’s moles, just like Abure in LP who is an APC mole. There is no opposition, that’s why nobody is challenging the system. Aside from a few of us, who else is talking?”
Following these remarks, Damagun and Anyanwu, through their legal counsel, demanded a retraction and a public apology in both national newspapers and online platforms to avoid legal proceedings.
They threatened to pursue civil and criminal litigation if Adeyanju failed to comply.
