The Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, Hon. Dino Melaye, has threatened to sue the Minister of Finance, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for defamation, saying that the minister must apologise within seven days or risk a legal action. Melaye stated this while speaking with the LEADERSHIP SUNDAY.
Melaye had last week led protesters on a peaceful demonstration to the Federal Ministry of Finance, demanding the immediate resignation of Okonjo-Iweala and accused her of harming the economy by approving payment of N2.7 billion to an unregistered firm, Pinnacle Construction Ltd for the importation of fuel which it never did.
But the finance minister in her response to the calls for her ouster by the group reportedly described Melaye as “a disreputable former member of the House of Representatives sponsored by some of the indicted oil barons who are currently being investigated and prosecuted for subsidy fraud.”
Meanwhile, a litigation threat by Kayode Ajulo Chambers on behalf of the Anti Corruption Network said that the minister’s comments had brought Melaye into public opprobrium and disrepute, despite being known for his forthrightness and patriotic anti-corruption activities.