Embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has vowed to sue the Senate President Godswill Akpabio for alleged defamation.
According to his legal representatives, Emefiele would seek N25 billion in damages from the Senate President if an apology is not issued.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, in a letter to the Senate President dated February 19, 2024, faulted a “we don’t know what to charge Emefiele with” statement credited to Akpabio on February 18, 2024.
The Senate President at a thanksgiving service by Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, had said Emefiele left the Nigerian economy in a mess and the federal government does not know the charges to levy against the ex-apex bank chief in the eye of the storm.
However, in his letter to the Senate President, Emefiele said Akpabio had, in his statement, suggested that “The cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is as a result of the policies of the previous administration.”
It also said it portrayed Emefiele as “A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.
“A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him.”
He accused Akpabio of subjudice, saying the former CBN chief had been charged to court and is currently defending himself.
He said it was worrisome that as head of the legislature, Akpabio should have known that his statement undermined the integrity and independence of the court.