Some members of the Labour Party (LP) in the South-South under the auspices of the Core Social Democrats (CSD), on Tuesday, rejected a defamatory report against the former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.
The former Minister was appointed to lead the LP’s 29-member Caretaker Committee on 4th September during an extended stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State.
The caretaker committee is tasked with rescuing the party from its current leadership crisis and organising a convention where a new party leader would emerge from the ward to the national stage within 90 days.
In a statement issued by CSD leader, Eric Ifere, the group said a report by a news platform had claimed that Usman is currently being prosecuted in various courts for alleged financial fraud.
The report stated that as a condition for her release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Usman surrendered two of her houses to the federal government, and returned ₦140 million out of the ₦2.5 billion allegedly received from the office of the former National Security Adviser ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
Ifere, in the statement said, the report was malicious, adding that the charges levelled against Usman were quashed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi, on 20th April 2023.
The statement read: “We, the Core Social Democrat members of the Labour Party of Nigeria in the South-South of Nigeria, have noticed the malicious lies perpetrated by an online news platform against our newly appointed chairman of the caretaker committee of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman.
“We note that the publication of 6th September 2024, stating that Senator Usman returned ₦140 million out of the ₦2.5 billion allegedly received from the office of the former National Security Adviser ahead of the 2015 presidential election and further surrendered two of her houses to the federal government as a condition for her release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is false, unfounded, and malicious.
“It is inappropriate for the news platform to insinuate guilt when the Court of Appeal quashed the charges against her. We also need to correct the misinformation spread by the news platform, as there is no evidence to support their claim that Senator Nenadi Usman returned any funds or properties to the federal government in connection with any criminal trial. This unjust attack on her character is a grave concern to us and all who value democracy and justice.
“In conclusion, we reiterate our demand that the news platform retract the defamatory story and issue a public apology immediately. This is not just a request but a demand that carries significant weight. Failure to do so could result in legal action from Senator Nenadi Usman, which would damage the reputation of Sahara Reporters and incur significant costs.
“We urge the news platform to act responsibly and correct the grave injustice they have done to Senator Nenadi’s reputation without further delay. This is a matter of justice and fairness that we, as the Labour Party, are committed to uphold.”