Bode Mustapha Threatens Ogun Govt., Commissioner With Litigation For Alleged Defamation
Executive Chairman of Bond Investments & Holdings Ltd., Chief Olabode Mustapha has given Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Adewale Oshinowo seven days to retrace alleged defamatory statements he made against him or face court action. He is also threatening the State Government with court action over the same alleged defamation.
Chief Mustapha is demanding payment from the State Government for the services he said his firm rendered on the Paris Club Refund, but the commissioner said the company was not been owed.
The Egba High Chief is frowning at a press release by the commissioner titled “PARIS CLUB REFUND: We Do Not Owe Bode Mustapha’s Consultancy Firm – Ogun Govt” dated 16th May, 2019 and additional statements made by him to the press on the same date.
In his letter dated 17th May, 2019 and addressed to the commissioner, Chief Mustapha stated that “The following statements in particular were a baseless and unfounded defamatory attack on us and our esteemed Chairman, Chief Bode Mustapha:
1. “Ogun State indigenes should be on their guard, as regards the finances of the State, as some unconscionable politicians will do everythina possible to recoup their investment in the last Governorship election from the public till”;
2. “The sudden resurrection of (sic) 2009 purported contract, was a premeditated action, designed to scam the State Government under the guise of an anticipated arbitration judgment. The Amosun Government will not be a party to this orchestrated scheme to swindle the State.
“The foregoing comments, which reflect the entirety of your Statements, are false, baseless and wholly defamatory against our character and that of our esteemed Chairman.”
“We therefore DEMAND that you retract the above statements and publish a written apology regarding same in at least two national daily newspapers within 7 days of your receipt of this letter.
“Should you fail to comply with our demand we shall be left with no other recourse than to approach a court of law to obtain the appropriate legal remedies, including significant damages not only against the Ogun State Government but yourself personally.”
Insisting that the demand for payment was genuine, he tendered two letters to back up his claims. One was by the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Finance to his company, while the second one was by the Commissioner to The Director General, Debt Management Office, Abuja.
