PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh denies knowledge of N500m libel suit filed against him by APC counterpart

The national publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday denied knowledge of the N500 million libel suit filed against him by the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Mohammed filed a N500 million suit on Monday against Metuh at a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking compensation for alleged defamation of his person via some issues raised by Metuh in response to one of Mohammed’s statements.

Richard Ihediwa, the special assistant to the PDP publicity secretary, in a statement on Tuesday said neither the PDP spokesperson nor any of his lawyers was aware of any such suit by Mohammed, adding that they have not been served.

Ihediwa said: “The 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 Chief Olisa Metuh in response to one of [Mohammed’s] statements.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this office wishes to state categorically that Chief Olisa Metuh or any of his lawyers are not aware of any such suit by Lai 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 Chief Metuh is a prominent Nigerian whose office and residential address are well known.”

The statement mentioned that it has been noted that Lai Mohammed is a ministerial nominee, it would therefore be important for him to avoid bringing “his propaganda, divisive and destructive tendencies to national assignment as a minister” if confirmed.