Anti-Government Protest: Pat Utomi Threatens N500 Billion Lawsuit Against Bayo Onanuga

 

Key Points:

• Lawsuit Threatened: Renowned political economist Prof. Pat Utomi has announced plans to sue Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, for N500 billion.
• Allegations of Protest Organization: Onanuga accused Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his supporters, including Utomi, of organizing upcoming nationwide protests.
• Utomi’s Denial: Utomi has denied these allegations, emphasizing his prolonged absence from Nigeria and demanding Onanuga withdraw his statement or present evidence.

Detailed Overview:

In a significant development, Prof. Pat Utomi, a distinguished political economist, has threatened legal action against Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The threatened lawsuit, amounting to N500 billion, comes in response to Onanuga’s recent allegations concerning Utomi’s involvement in organizing nationwide protests.

Background of the Allegations:

On Saturday, Onanuga took to his X account to accuse Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, and his supporters, including Pat Utomi, of orchestrating planned nationwide protests. These protests are set to address issues such as hunger, naira devaluation, and economic hardship currently affecting Nigeria.

Pat Utomi’s Response:

In a statement issued on Monday, Utomi, a prominent member of the Labour Party, vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged protest organization. He clarified that he has been out of the country for an extended period, making the accusations baseless.

Utomi has called on Onanuga to either retract his statement or provide concrete evidence to support his claims. He stated, “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.”

Potential Legal Actions:

Utomi warned of serious legal consequences if Onanuga fails to offer a satisfactory explanation. He indicated plans to pursue the matter through international criminal and human rights courts if necessary. Utomi elaborated, “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.”

Conclusion:

This unfolding legal battle highlights the tensions surrounding political discourse in Nigeria. As the nation grapples with economic challenges, allegations and counter-allegations among political figures underscore the volatile nature of the current political landscape.