Renowned businessman Arthur Eze has faulted the inclusion of his name among directors of Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL), a firm accused of owing Wema Bank Plc N136.93 million.
Eze said the claim, as contained in a statement by the bank, published in newspapers on August 7, was false and had caused him ‘untold public odium’.
In a letter of complaint by his lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), to Wema Bank and the affected media houses, Eze demanded a retraction and public apology within seven days, failure of which he threatened to sue them for N10 billion each.
The letter reads: “We have been informed that in a publication on Friday, August 7, page 19, column 4 of a newspaper, you listed our client’s name as one of the directors of Genesis Electricity Limited, purportedly owing your bank N136,931,264.15.
“The above statement is false, malicious and libellous, as our client is neither a director nor a shareholder of Genesis Electricity.
“It is needless to say that your statement, which constitutes a defamation of character, has caused untold public odium to our client, portraying him as dishonest, and undermining his highly earned reputation.
“You are hereby given seven days, inclusive of the date on this letter, to retract the statement and apologise to our client, which shall be published in five national newspapers, including the affected paper.
“Should you fail to comply with these directives, we shall subject you to the rigours of litigation, whereof we will claim N10 billion without any further reference to you”.