The Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last September’s election, Dr. Asue have has filed defamation proceedings against the Acting Chairman of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Jarret Tenebe.
According to a statement by Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) in Benin City, the state capital, on Wednesday, also being sued “for their roles in propagating malicious fabrications” against Ighodalo are the Chairman of Edo State Government Vehicle and Asset Recovery Committee, Mr. Kelly Okungbowa; and the committee’s spokesperson, and Mr. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson.
On 11 December, Ighodalo’s lawyers, Banwo and Ighodalo, had given Tenebe seven days within which to retract and offer unreserved public apology over a video recorded and disseminated widely by the latter.
In a demand signed for the law firm by Chinedum Umeche, Banwo and Ighodalo had said that it would file proceedings in the High Court of Lagos State, if Tenebe failed to comply with its demand.
Tenebe has been accused of making and circulating a video on 10 December 2024, in which he alleged that Ighodalo, a prominent lawyer and public figure, had “stolen billions”.
The legal team also pointed out that the video insinuated that Ighodalo is “incapable of holding public office”.
On Tuesday, TAMO said that Tenebe had made further allegations against Ighodalo, which it described as “tissues of unfounded and defamatory claims” made in recent adverse campaign against the PDP candidate.
TAMO’s coordinator, Mr. Erhabor Emokpae said that the group “categorically refuted these unfounded and defamatory claims made against Mr. Asue Ighodalo”.
It added: “This campaign of calumny, orchestrated by Jarret Tenebe, is consistent with his history as a known merchant of blatant falsehoods and malicious allegations. His outlandish and unsubstantiated accusations that Mr. Ighodalo has ‘stolen 21 government vehicles’ and improperly ‘awarded his firm, Banwo & Ighodalo, government business’ are entirely false, without evidence, cannot be countenanced and must be dismissed out of hand”.
The organisation said that “Alaghodaro is a private-sector initiative, and contrary to Jarret Tenebe’s misleading assertions, is not a government agency. It is a private-sector-led initiative established and primarily funded by the private sector to promote investments and foster economic growth in Edo State.
“Incontrovertibly, Alaghodaro – under Mr. Ighodalo’s tenure as Chairman – facilitated meaningful partnerships between the state and private investors, which generated tangible benefits for Edo State and its people.
“Starting in 2008 when he served on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s economic team and throughout his tenure as Chairman of Alaghodaro, Mr.Ighodalo has personally funded all his own expenses. On occasion, he even stepped in with personal resources to meet Alaghodaro needs. Indeed, in the 16 years of that public service role spanning the tenures of two governors, Mr. Ighodalo never received any allowances or emoluments”.
TAMO insisted that at no point had Ighodalo, as Chairman of Alaghodaro, used his position to benefit the law firm, Banwo & Ighodalo or himself personally. The group said that, the globally recognised law firms competes for and wins mandates on merit, reputation and professionalism alone, maintaining the highest ethical standards.
The group stated: “The claim that Mr. Ighodalo stole 21 government vehicles is not only untrue but also absurd. Asue Ighodalo has never been assigned, allocated or been involved in the misappropriation of government property. These unfounded allegations serve only to distract from pressing issues in Edo State.
“The continued dissembling by Jarret Tenebe is unacceptable. These defamatory statements are a deliberate attempt to tarnish Mr. Ighodalo’s reputation and undermine his contributions to Edo State. Mr. Ighodalo’s legal team at Banwo & Ighodalo have commenced action to expand the scope of pending defamation proceedings to include these new allegations.
“Therefore, in response to the continued spread of defamatory and baseless allegations by Tenebe, Banwo & Ighodalo has taken decisive legal action.
“Following a previous demand in a letter dated 11 December 2024, which requested a retraction and apology for earlier slanderous assertions, Mr. Tenebe chose instead to escalate his baseless attacks. In a recent interview with TMC TV/Radio on 17 December 2024, Mr. Tenebe falsely claimed that Mr. Ighodalo had ‘stolen 21 government vehicles’ and improperly awarded business to his law firm, Banwo & Ighodalo. As a result, court proceedings have now been initiated against him and others, including Mr. Kelly Okungbowa and Mr. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, Chairman and Spokesman, respectively, of the Edo State Government Vehicle and Asset Recovery Committee, for their roles in propagating these malicious fabrications”.
TAMO then called for decency in public discourse, saying: “It is imperative that public figures uphold the values of truth, accountability, and respect in their statements. Attempts to weaponise misinformation for personal or political gain only erode public trust and damage our democratic institutions.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to reject these baseless accusations and focus on the facts. Mr. Ighodalo remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the advancement of Edo State”.
