The widow of the late politician and businessman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Prof. Zainab-Duke Abiola, has slammed a N100billion defamation suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali, and three others.
Other defendants in the suit filed before the Federal High Court Abuja, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2070 is the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Engr. Ibrahim (who the plaintiff described as IGP Alkali’s son) and her former orderly, Teju Moses.
Mrs. Abiola stated that the defendants jointly made false and defamatory publications against her in which they claimed among others, that she assaulted Moses, who was then her police orderly.
The plaintiff added that she has suffered and is still suffering from the damaging effect of allegedly false and defamatory publications made by the defendants against her.
She claimed, in court documents, that she was “framed up by one Engr. Ibrahim, who happens to be the adopted son of the IG in a bid to cover up some monumental bribery and corruption in the Nigeria Police, perpetrated by the son of the IG.”
Mrs. Abiola stated that the defendants caused her to be abducted in a Gestapo style from her Abuja home “during unholy hours of the night with a nightgown” and subjected to torture.
The plaintiff added that the manner she was treated by the defendants was not only derogatory and amounted to an abrogation of her rights and esteem personality, it also caused her great pain and suffering.
She faulted the police for not investigating claims of assault of her orderly before parading her as a criminal before newsmen.
Mrs. Abiola, who said she was engaged by the NPF as its Chief Legal Consultant (CLC), stated that “the malicious intention of the defendants was to defame and blackmail plaintiff into silence and not spill the beans on the massive corruption going on under IG Usman Alkali.
She accused the IGP of not being truthful in his press statement when he “published grievous, malicious falsehood” when he stated that “Professor Zainab has no acquaintance with the police in any form.”
The plaintiff, who claimed to have an office in Louis Edet House, Police Headquarters by virtue of her position as the CLC Chief Legal to the NPF, wants the court to order the defendants to tender a public apology to her, which must be published in electronic, print and social media.
She also wants the court to direct the defendants to pay her N100 billion as damages for defamation, harassment, trauma, humiliation, and public embarrassment she suffered; and N100 million as general damages, in addition to another N100m cost of litigation.
The suit has been scheduled for February 28 for a hearing.
