Alleged $500M Refund: Tunde Lemo demands newspaper’s retraction, gives 24hours ultimatum

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo has refuted claim by an online publication alleging that he refunded $500 million to the coffer of the Nigerian Government.

The online newspaper had published a story on 21 November 2023, where it claimed the former CBN deputy governor refunded $500million, and former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele returned N4 trillion found with Buhari’s PA.

But Lemo in a letter by his legal representative, Zeat Partners on Wednesday explained that he did not at any time take any $500million from the Nigerian Government that would warrant any refund.

The letter reads, “Our Client’s attention has been drawn to the publication made by NEWS.BAND an online Newspaper owned by Elombah Communications on the 21 Day of November 2023 with the above referenced as caption.”

“It is our Client’s express instruction that he did not at any time take any $500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Dollars) from the coffer of Nigerian Government warranting any refund.”

“That he did not refund $500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Dollars) or any amount to the Federal Government of Nigeria either through the Special Investigator of the Federal Government or any agent of the government or any person by whatsoever name called.”

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“That the information so published by your newspaper as it relates to our Client is false and untrue.”

In the letter signed by Obienu Chinedu, Lemo stated that the publication was a direct attack on his personality and therefore demand a retraction within 24 hours.

“Our Client finds the Statement defamatory and sees it as a direct attack on his personality to malign him in the eyes of well-meaning Nigerians and his friends outside Nigeria.”

“Our client herein DEMANDS that you retract the said statement making the rounds as it relates to our client within the next 24hours.”

“It is our hope that you will heed and accede to our demands and retract the statement through the same medium it was published within the timeframe given. HOWEVER should wisdom fail to prevail, and you fail to so comply, we will proceed to perfect our Client’s instructions.” the letter concludes.