Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana and two-time minister under former President Jonathan, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has responded to rumours making the rounds that he is in hiding from being investigated by Nigerian anti-graft officials.
Taking to his verified Twitter page on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 Obanikoro blasted Sahara Reporters for involving his family in what he described as a dirty campaign of calumny and pure blackmail.
Obanikoro was speaking in reference to the allegation that he purchased a house in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. Investigations by SIGNAL confirm that the house in question belongs to Obanikoro’s second son Gbolahan Ayotunde Obanikoro and his wife, Adeola Olopade Obanikoro. Gbolahan Obanikoro, the CEO of MOB Integrated Services Ltd – an oil and gas firm is said to be doing well for himself. His wife is also from a well-known industrious and aristocratic background.
Obanikoro disclosed further that he is not aware of any investigation of him in public service and that the rumour from Sahara Reporters would form a part of the evidence tendered against the news outfit and their publisher Yele Sowore in a case he instituted at the Supreme Court of the State of New York on the 9th of March this year.
Documents sent to The Trent by Obanikor’s media aide, confirm a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Obanikoro by popular Italian-American lawyer, Joe Tacopina, as seen below:
Sources close to Obanikoro say that he is likely to soon institute another case against Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore separately here in Nigeria for libel or defamation.
Obanikoro in his tweets also explained that his ambition for now is to seek further education in addition to his first and second degrees obtained from Texas Southern University. He tweeted that he is currently a student of Oglethorpe University in USA and is proud of his record of service to Nigeria. This service includes a year as Local Government chairman of Lagos Island, Lagos State Commissioner under former Governor Bola Tinubu, Senator of the Federal Republic, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana as well as being service twice as Minister of State for Defence and later Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ordinarily, I wouldn't dignify @SaharaReporters with a response to its shameful journalism but there's a limit even to new media madness #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
For the record: I've been in public service since 1992, and I have never owned or currently own a home anywhere in the world outside Nigeria
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
I am however proud of my son and his family who are private citizens for their accomplishment as they have the right to do so. #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
I still have a case against@SaharaReporters and its owner filed at their “hideout” in the State of New York, USA. #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
This latest recklessness by @SaharaReporters will surely and certainly add to the body of evidence against this hack journalism platform #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
Perhaps this is in retaliation to the suit, but be rest assured, I won’t be deterred and will pursue the libel case to a logical conclusion.
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
While I remain open to answering ANY question on my conduct as a Public Servant in ANY Administration at local, state and federal levels…
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
I urge Responsible Journalism Practitioners to refrain from helping hack journalists bring their noble profession into disrepute…(cont'd)
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
(contd.) …with baseless rumours and the blind crusade of an already biased and bought media platform. #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
My goals now: To seek further education as I am doing in pursuit of a degree in History at the Oglethorpe University in Georgia, USA and…
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
to Mentor the Next Generation of Leaders in Nigeria in Diligent and Forthright Public Service. #MO
— Musiliu Obanikoro (@MObanikoro) December 29, 2015
