The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and its chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, have demanded a retraction and public apology from Dr. Reuben Abati, a columnist, over a libelous publication and statements credited to him in respect of the character and reputation of the duo.
This is as the anti-corruption campaigner and civil society organization threaten to commence legal action through a suitable dispute resolution method if the columnist failed to retract the said publication and tender an unreserved apology.
In a letter referred to Abati and dated October 4, 2021, HEDA and Suraju through their solicitors, M. A. BANIRE & ASSOCIATES and signed by Oluwaseye Afolabi from the Law Chamber, said statements made in the publication were not only utterly false but were also inimical to the reputation and integrity of our clients and quite damaging to their integrity.
Recalled that Abati on Tuesday, the 21st day of September, 2021, wrote a column titled: ‘CSOs, NGOs and their discontents’ exploring developments around the OPL 245 scandal to critique civil society organisations in Nigeria especially HEDA and its chairman, Suraju.
The letter to Abati read in part: “We are solicitors to Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju and HEDA Resource Centre (hereinafter referred to as “our Clients”), and it is on their instruction that we write you this letter.
“As you are already aware, our Clients are an anti-corruption campaigner and civil society organization which core mandates are promoting transparency in governance, demanding government and societal accountability as well as fighting corruption in all its forms. Our clients are globally known for their carefully built high moral standing, vibrancy, integrity and transparency with several accomplishments both locally and internationally.
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