.THREATENS LEGAL ACTION OVER LINK TO N41BILLION NITEL LIQUIDATION FRAUD
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has described as “untrue, misleading, malicious, libelous” reports in a section of the media that Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Plc, was allegedly involved in a N41 billion fraud, with respect to the defunct Nigeria Telecommunication Company (NITEL).
As you read this, the Bank and its Chairman through its lawyers have demanded a public apology and retraction of the claim within seven days of receipt of the letter or face legal action.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, had alleged that the bank was involved in the NITEL liquidation fraud.
Senator Akinyelure had specifically alleged that the said amount was withdrawn without approval “systematically from NITEL for nine years” under the leadership of Mr. Elumelu.
But the Bank said it was miffed that the Senator could make such unguarded allegations, especially on a matter which is before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
According to Elumelu’s lawyers, “Our Client is shocked by this false, baseless, and mischievous allegation as neither him nor any of the organisations associated with him has ever been involved in or indicted for any fraud as was falsely alleged by Senator Ayo Akinyelure”.
“Our Client is also alarmed and appalled by this deliberate peddling of falsehood and misinformation against an unblemished personal and business reputation, painstakingly built by our Client over several decades with great personal sacrifice and unquestionable integrity.
“Our Client has instructed us to, and we have demanded an immediate open, public and unreserved retraction of the said statements credited to Senator Akinyelure and an apology from Senator Akinyelure for this false allegation and defamation of our Client,”
