Fani-Kayode in the letter of intent to sue signed by his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, on Friday, alleged that the media organization was financially induced to release the tape and also failed to contact him.
ALPHA & ROHI CROESO I CONGATANTS
19th March, 2021.
The Managing Director
Punch Newspaper [Punch Nig. Ltd.]
Federal Capital Territory
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
RE: LETTER OF INTENT TO SUE: DEFAMATION OF CHIEF FEMI FANI KAYODE BY THE PUNCH NEWSPAPERS, ALONGSIDE HER SPONSORS – MS. PRECIOUS CHIKWENDU AND PRISCA CHIKWENDU
Our Client is Chief Femi Fani – Kayode. He has instructed us to notify you of his intention, to activate judicial machineries against your outfit, for civil and criminal libel.
Known to you in recent times, is the embroiled battle between our Client and his estranged wife. You are also aware of the civil suit that she [Ms. Precious Chikwendu) commenced against him at an Abuja High Court, for custody of their children. Considering your pride of place, as the fourth estate of the realm, it is expected that you will furnish the unsuspecting public with balanced information, devoid of malice and personal gains.
Presently, our Client strongly feels that your outfit has compromised this sacred role, for reasons not unconnected to financial inducement. This is because, on 18th March 2021, certain damning videos were authorised for release into the public stream, on your facebook platform, for onward consumption by millions of people around the globe.
You are quite aware that the persons who feature in the said videos are our Client’s erstwhile domestic servants, who had left his employ since 2018 and 2019. Curiously, about six of them were assembled at your office for audio-visual recordings, alleging that our Client was given to domestic violence, physical assault, sexual harassment and oppression of both his staff and ex-wife. Besides, these persons also swore to Affidavits, detailing similar rendition, copies of which were made available to you.
It is our Client’s belief, that if you were to be operating strictly within the realms of professionalism, your outfit would have cross-checked these facts with him, in order to ensure a balanced reportage. This you did not do, against all known ethos of investigative journalism. You may wish to know that prior to the release of these scandalous videos, our Client had authorised filing of a complaint to the Police, and investigation is top gear. One of the erstwhile domestic staff, who our Client’s estranged wife (Ms. Precious Chikwendu) and her sister (Prisca Chikwendu) attempted to procure, resisted the offer and let out the cat, from the bag. Beyond that, the Police had earlier in time arrested one of these fellows, who already made useful statements, confessing that he was misled and financially induced by (Ms. Precious Chikwendu) and her sister (Prisca Chikwendu). In the circumstance, and having regard to this syndicate smear campaign, which you have consciously supported, at the expense of our Client’s hard earned reputation, you will agree with us that he is entitled to seek redress from the Court of law.
Please, take this note, as our Client’s intention to institute a civil suit against your organisation, for defamation, alongside Ms Precious Chikwendu and her sister – Prisca Chikwendu, who are believed by our Client to be the masterminds of this scandalous assemblage. We are not unmindful of the roles played by: Emmanuel Anakan (former dog handler); Anthonia Uchenna former nanny); Osakwe Azubuike (former carpenter); Jonathan Gaiya (former driver); Oko Emmanuel (former chef); Daniel Gona (former drivers and Agbolo Kosi Edah, in actualising the maliciously scripted plan to defame our Client. They will also be legally proceeded against.
However, for whatever it is worth, you may wish to enter into negotiations with us for the sum of Six Billion Naira as a token amount for penitence: apologise to our Client on the platform you made available to scandalise him, and thereafter assist the Police with investigation. You have seven days from receipt of this letter, to mitigate the highlighted wrong, in the above terms. Should you fail to so do, we shall proceed to seek the appropriate redress in Court.
Yours faithfully,
Adeola Adedipe, MCIArb. (UK) (Senior Partner)
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
