Ribadu’s demand for an apology is contained in a letter addressed
to Muhammad by Ahmed Raji, the NSA’s lawyer, on Tuesday.
According to the letter, Muhammad, in a video shared on
TikTok, claimed that Ribadu had once discredited the virtue of President Bola
Tinubu, George Akume, minister of special duties, and Orji Kalu, senator
representing Abia north in the national assembly.
Muhammad alleged that Ribadu made the allegations while he
was chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and
Tinubu, Akume, and Kalu were state governors.
Muhammad accused Ribadu of serving in a government led by
those he once allegedly reprimanded.
Reacting to the claims, Raji said the NSA “has never
maintained such a viewpoint” against any of the three politicians.
The lawyer added that “the damage occasioned to our client
by your deliberate but ill-advised action is unquantifiable” and challenged
Muhammad “to provide evidence of your allegations”.
“However, our client will be assuaged if you retract the
said publication and tender an unreserved public apology to him in at least 5
[five] national daily newspapers within 7 [seven] days of receipt of this
letter,” the letter reads.
“If not, we have our client’s further instructions to seek
redress against you in a court of law where exemplary damages will be claimed
against you. Kindly be advised.”