Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has firmly denied allegations of receiving a $2 million bribe to dismiss a suit against Rivers State House of Assembly members. Ajibade warned those spreading the accusations to retract them immediately or face legal action.
The allegations were published in a report on May 16, 2024, by an online media outlet, attributing the claims to the PDP Stakeholders Forum. The report accused the acting national chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, and Ajibade of receiving $2 million to allow lawyers of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to file secret court processes to prevent the sacking of 27 lawmakers who defected from PDP to APC.
Ajibade responded in a letter to the media outlet, describing the publication as misleading, malicious, and defamatory. He stated, "The fact that the headline or the report which alleged that I received the spurious $2 million is different from the details provided, shows clearly that it was deliberately tailored to dent my image using 247ureports and its sponsors."
Ajibade categorically denied any involvement in the alleged bribery, emphasizing his integrity and long-standing commitment to ethical legal practice. He noted that he had personally filed a suit in January 2024 on behalf of the PDP to challenge the defection of the lawmakers.
Ajibade issued a 7-day ultimatum to the media outlet and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to retract the allegations. He stated, "I hereby give 247ureports, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), and its publicity secretary, Mallam Abubakar Isa, a 7-day ultimatum to retract this malicious allegation, which is not only false but also damaging to my reputation, failing which will leave me with no choice but to seek stringent legal redress."
Ajibade expressed his trust that the involved parties would act responsibly and retract the erroneous publication within the given timeframe.
