Lai threatens lawsuit over claim ‘change campaign’ gulped N3.4 billion

Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and culture, has threatened to sue the Daily Independent newspaper over a publication on the “change begins with campaign” launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 8.

In its publication on September 15, the newspaper had claimed that the campaign “gulped N3.4 billion”.

But a letter dated September 19 and addressed to the editor of the newspaper by Femi Falana, the minister’s counsel, described the publication as libellous and a damage to his client’s image.

“Having damaged our client’s hard-earned reputation by your reckless action, we have his instruction to demand a retraction of your libellous publication within seven days of the receipt of this letter,” the letter read.

“Take notice that if you fail or refuse to accede to our client’s demands, we have his instruction to sue you with a view to restoring his reputation, which your reckless publication has damaged.”

Also, the minister threatened to sue Akin Fadeyi and Omo Bazuaye for allegedly claiming that he (Mohammed) stole the idea of the campaign from them.

Mohammed, through his counsel, also sought a retraction within seven days.