The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has dismissed the lawsuit instituted against him by Lai Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
RELATED: Spokesman At War: APC Lai Mohammed Files N500 Million Suit Against PDP’s Metuh
Speaking via a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, Metuh said he and his lawyers were yet to be served any notice on the case.
Speaking further, Metuh said the APC spokesman should not bring his propaganda to the federal level as he has been made a ministerial nominee.
The statement read: “The attention of the office of the PDP has been drawn to reports in some section of the media, suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has filed a suit against Chief Olisa Metuh.
“Media reports have it that Lai Mohammed instituted a N500 million suit at a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking compensation for alleged defamation of his person by some issues raised by Metuh in response to one of his (Mohammed’s) statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this office wishes to state categorically that Metuh or any of his lawyers are not aware of any such suit by Mohammed, nor have they been served. Also, none of the newspapers that carried the story published the said suit.
“If it is true that any legal action has been instituted, it should not be limited to newspaper reports, unless it is meant for the media, as Metuh is a prominent Nigerian whose office and residential address are well known.
“We are very much aware that Mohammed as a ministerial nominee may have been nervous and apprehensive of the requirements of his upcoming screening in the Senate, and as a renown propagandist, may have decided to orchestrate reports of the said suit, to plead subjudice as a defence ostensibly to stop queries by senators on issues of integrity.
“This office however, insists that if indeed, Mohammed has instituted any case against Metuh, we charge him to ensure that he prosecutes it to the very end.
“Nevertheless, we invite Nigerians to note the relentless attempt by APC leaders, including Mohammed, to threaten, intimidate, harass and cow Metuh into submissive opposition.
“Our advice however, to Mohammed on the issue of Senate clearance, is that he should not panic, but be humble, as his palm kernel in this regard has already been cracked by a benevolent and forgiving senate president.
“Finally, we counsel Mohammed not to bring his propaganda, divisive and destructive tendencies to his national assignment as a minister.”
