By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Legal representatives of Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun have issued a formal notice to Arise Television regarding a documentary aired by the network on or about February 23, 2024.
By the notice, they demanded a retraction of the report and payment of five billion Naira in general damages following what they described as a libelous portrayal of Egungbohun.
In the letter addressed to the Chairman/Chief Executive of Arise Media Group, solicitors representing Egungbohun, chambers of Bola Aidi, SAN, highlighted several allegations made against their client in the documentary.
These, they said, included branding him as a notorious smuggler, Ilaro’s biggest smuggler, and insinuating his evasion of prosecution due to his connections to powerful figures.
Furthermore, the documentary, they said, alleged that IBD International Hotels in Ilaro were constructed with proceeds from smuggling activities and accused Egungbohun of multiple arrests for smuggling, including gun smuggling.
The legal notice asserted that the documentary’s content implied that Egungbohun was involved in arms smuggling and had evaded justice due to his alleged connections within society, including politics and the media.
The notice also accused Arise Television of utilizing the documentary as a tool for propaganda, aimed at tarnishing Egungbohun’s reputation and businesses, and potentially coercing legal action against him.
The letter criticized Arise Television for disregarding journalistic ethics by recruiting faceless individuals to level allegations under the guise of investigative journalism.
It argued that the implications of these accusations extended to branding Egungbohun as a supporter of terrorism, banditry, and armed robbery.
Furthermore, the legal representatives highlighted the detrimental effects of the documentary on Egungbohun, including social ostracization and damage to his businesses, particularly IBD International Hotels Ltd.
They thus demanded a retraction of the documentary and an apology to be aired daily for the next 30 days, alongside payment of five billion Naira in damages.
The legal notice concluded by setting a two-week deadline for Arise Television to meet the demands, failing which legal action would be pursued against the organization.