Prof. Pat Utomi, has threatened to file a N500 billion lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to challenge an allegation levelled against him.
In a statement made available to the The News Chronicles, the political economist and chieftain of the Labour Party, described the allegation as false, adding that he has been away from the country for a long time.
Utomi who urged Onanuga to withdraw his statement or provide evidence of his claims, stated in parts; “If there is no evidence of Mr. Onanuga’s false assertion, I will assume it reasonable that the object is to water the ground for false treasonable felony charges that can result in the claim of one’s life. I intend to therefore proceed to the international criminal and other human rights courts if a reasonable explanation is not forthcoming.
I will also have no choice but to institute a claim of N500 billion for fake news, hate speech and intent to procure State murder of an innocent citizen. If judicial capture makes justice problematic in Nigeria I expect that I can trust extra-national institutions and global human solidarity”.
It would be recalled that Onanuga, in a post on his X account on Saturday, accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his supporters of being behind the planned nationwide protests billed for August.
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Onanuga alleged that Utomi and some other supporters of the former Anambra state governor are spearheading the planned nationwide protests against hunger, naira devaluation and economic hardship in Nigeria.