The case between Deji Adeyanju and Umar Damagun and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has recently taken an unexpected turn. In a twist of fate, Deji Adeyanju has chosen to retract the allegedly defamatory statements he made against Umar Damagun, the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the acting national secretary.
In a letter dated December 6, written by his law firm, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, and signed by Zainab Otega, a lawyer, Adeyanju apologized for any perceived defamation resulting from his statements. In the letter, addressed to Johnson Usman, Damagun and Anyanwu’s lawyer, it was stated that the offending comments were not intentionally defamatory of Mr. Usman’s clients.
The letter states: “Our statements were not intended to defame your clients, and any perception of defamation contained in these statements is regretted and withdrawn with an apology.” The retraction could end threats of legal action by Damagun and Anyanwu against Adeyanju.
The offending comments were allegedly made during a podcast interview, where Adeyanju referred to Damagun as “the tea man” and Anyanwu as “the Kilishi man.” The unflattering labels prompted a strong response from those involved, who threatened legal action if an apology was not forthcoming.
The about-face underscores the importance of choosing one’s words carefully, especially when they can impact the reputation of others. In the current politically charged climate in Nigeria, caution and respect should prevail in public discourse, even when it comes to legitimate criticism of those in power.
Ultimately, this episode highlights the importance of accountability in freedom of expression. As a human rights advocate, Deji Adeyanju can continue to promote the well-being of Nigeria by encouraging political leaders to prioritize the public interest above personal interests. Hopefully, this case will serve as a reminder to all of us about the impacts of our words and actions, even when they seem innocuous.