An Abuja based lawyer, Victor Giwa, Esq, has demanded a written apology letter from John Mary Jideobi, a lawyer, and his clients Damijay Integrated Services and Donald Wokoma, for defamation.

This was disclosed in a letter written by Emmanuel Daodu of the law firm of MARCUS EDMUND ATTORNEYS & ASSOCIATES, dated 4th September 2020 and made available to newsmen

JohnMary Jideobi had on behalf of Damijay Integrated Services and Donald Wokoma written a petition to the Department of State Security Services requesting that the suspended Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, Giwa and other staff of EFCC be investigated for the crime of extortion having demanded the sum of N75 Million in respect of a matter before the EFCC.

However, Giwa, in the letter stated that the petition and its circulation in the media have maligned his reputation as a constitutional Law, commentator, and public analyst and therefore demands the sum of N10, 000, 000.00 and a written apology that will be published in two national dailies as well as on TheNigeriaLawyer.

Giwa further threatens to sue them if his demands are not met.

Read the letter below:

4th September, 20220

John Mary Jideobi
Johnmary C. Jideobi & C0.
SUITE 12, KC PLAZA, BWARI, Road
Abuja

Sir,

DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION

RE: THE PETITION OF DAMIJAY INTEGRATED SERVICES AGAINST VICTOR GIWA ESQ MR IBRAHIM MAGU AND OTHER STAFF OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCE CRIME COMMISSION FOR THE CRIME OF EXTORTION: THE URGENT NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE REVELATION MADE BY VICTOR GIWA ESQ IN TWO AUDIO RECORDINGS OF 27 & 4 MINS WHEREIN HE IMPLICATED MR IBRAHIM MAGU AND OTHER STAFF OF THE COMMISSION IN THE CRIME OF EXTORTION TO THE TUNE OF SEVENTY –FIVE MILLION NAIRA .

We write as counsel to Victor Giwa Esq, hereinafter shall be referred to as our Client, on whose behalf we write you this letter. Our Client has informed us and we have read, studied and do believe as true of the followings:

That you have by a Petition dated 27th August,2020 addressed to the Director-General, State Security Services ,Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja ,caused a publication of same c through various social media platforms namely- www.barristerng.com, www.thenigerialawyer.com and others, had requested that our client be investigated ‘for the crime of extortion’.
You had in the said petition under reference stated that our client ‘…informed our client that the agents of the EFCC are demanding for a whooping 75million naira(N75,000,000,00) which they later increased to 40% of the total sum in the company’s account …’
iii. You have also stated in the petition that “… Barrister Fatima Hassan who from all account is barrister Victor’s confederate in crime.’

You have maliciously, caused the said material to be circulated in various media in which you have caused to be maligned our client’s hard earned reputation by inputting to our client’s character, the ‘crime of extortion’.

For the record, our client is a well-known, human rights and constitution law practitioner, who has been in the forefront of the defense of human rights of citizens in Nigeria. He has received awards from various organizations for his strong position and defense for human rights in Nigeria among others. Our Client is a public commentator and analyst and has received great recommendations from noble personalities within and outside Nigeria.

It is our position that the publication and imputation made by yourself, Damijay Integrated Services and Donald Wokoma, you acting on their behalf, through your petition and the subsequent publication of the said petition in various media is malicious, defamatory and libelous and it is intended to tint our client’s reputation.

This said publication is capable of discrediting our client in his office, trade and profession.

Consequently, we are by this letter requesting that you JOHNMARY C.JIDEOBI, DAMIJAY INTEGRATED SERVICES AND DONALD WOKOMA jointly and severally do the following:

That you caused to be published an unreserved apology to our client in two national newspaper and on the same social media platforms -www. barristerng.com, www.thenigerialawyer.com within 14 days of receipt of this letter.
That you withdraw all petitions written against our client within 14days of receipt of this letter.
Paid the sum of N10Million for injuries done to our client as a result of your publication.
Take notice that should you fail, neglect or refuse to effect our client request, we shall after the 14 days period demand for a 100 million naira compensation for libelous and defamatory publication made against our client in a court of law.

We hope this be treated urgently.

Thank you.

Emmanuel Daoudu

For Marcus Edmund & Attorney