Dogara gives Jibrin 7-day ultimatum to retract "libelous" allegations

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has ordered the

This was contained in a letter addressed to Jibrin by counsel to the speaker, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.

According to the letter, Jibrin is expected to tender an unreserved apology to the speaker in all the print and electronic media where the allegations appeared.

The letter reads in part:

"The attention of our client has been drawn to a libellous press statement you issued on Monday 25th July 2016 which was made available to members of the press (print and electronic media) titled: “THE CORRUPT SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA AND HIS 3-MAN CABAL”.

"In the said publication, you published words concerning our client and three other principal members of the House of Representatives.

"The personal references are obviously directed at our client, and amount to a very serious libel."By the said publication and without putting to the public any shred of evidence, our client is portrayed as a criminal, corrupt, dishonest, fraudulent, dishonourable and unfit to hold the position of Speaker of House of Representatives."Our client’s reputation has further been brought down in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and he has been thrown into public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule."Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libellous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta owing to your recent removal as the Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation.

ALSO READ: 'Jibrin is bitter,' Reps react to allegation of N40bn fraud against Speaker"The said publication is also aimed at causing disaffection between Nigerians and members of the House of Representatives."Sequel to the above, we have to request you to submit immediately to us a clear and unqualified apology and retraction of the publication in an equally conspicuous position in all the print and electronic media where the publication appeared."TAKE NOTICE that in the event of your failure/refusal to comply with the above mentioned demands within seven (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law. If we have to pursue this course, we shall be claiming aggravated and exemplary damages."

On Friday, July 22, 2016, Jibrin petitioned the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris over alleged intimidation, monitoring and harassment by security officers on the instruction of Speaker Dogara and three other principal officers.