Politics
‘Let’s have the evidence in court’: Aisha Yesufu Challenges Deji Adeyanju to Present Evidence of Fraud Against Peter Obi
Activist Aisha Yesufu has reacted to the ongoing legal battle between former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, urging Adeyanju to present the evidence he has repeatedly claimed to possess.
Peter Obi recently filed a lawsuit against Adeyanju after the lawyer publicly alleged that the former Anambra governor was fraudulent. Adeyanju has insisted on several occasions that he has proof to back his claims and dared Obi to sue him.
In her response, Yesufu, a strong supporter of Obi, said the legal action now provides an opportunity for Adeyanju to put forward his evidence in court.
“As a supporter of Mr Peter Obi, I am interested in the evidence the Barrister has. This case will offer me and millions of others the opportunity to have access to the evidence Barrister Deji has so we know whether to continue our support for Mr Peter Obi or withdraw it,” she stated.
Yesufu stressed that Obi’s decision to seek redress in court was the right approach, describing it as the civil and democratic path to take.
She added that if Obi had instead used state power to detain Adeyanju, she would have been among those leading a campaign for his release.
“If Mr Peter Obi had used machinery of the State to get Barrister Deji arrested and thrown into jail like many dictators we fight are doing, then I would be leading a #FreeDejiAdeyanju campaign. But now that he has been sued, let’s have the evidence,” she declared.
Defamation Under Nigerian Law
In Nigeria, defamation refers to the act of making false statements that harm the reputation of another person. It can take the form of libel (written) or slander (spoken).
For a defamation suit to succeed, the complainant in this case, Peter Obi must prove that the statements made were:
- False and damaging to his reputation.
- Published or communicated to a third party.
- Made without lawful justification.
However, the defendant Deji Adeyanju can avoid liability if he is able to provide credible evidence proving that his allegations are true.
This means the court case could hinge on whether Adeyanju can substantiate his claims with verifiable evidence, or whether Obi can demonstrate that the accusations were baseless and damaging.
The case has generated nationwide attention, with political observers, supporters, and critics closely watching to see if Adeyanju will present the evidence he has long claimed to hold. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for Obi’s reputation but also for the broader issue of accountability and free speech in Nigeria’s political space.
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