- Jarrett Tenebe accused Asue Ighodalo of corruption based on findings from state committees, asserting his statements are evidence-based and justified
- Ighodalo’s lawyers demanded an apology for alleged defamation, but Tenebe’s legal team dismissed the claims, citing free speech rights
Jarrett Tenebe, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has reaffirmed his allegations of corruption and fund misappropriation against Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the upcoming state elections.
Tenebe claims his statements are based on findings from the Edo State Asset Verification Committee and the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee, which he alleges indicted Ighodalo, who served as an economic adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki for eight years.
The controversy began when Tenebe’s comments in a viral video accused Ighodalo of financial misconduct. In the video, Tenebe was quoted saying:
“Obaseki will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before. Asue Ighodalo will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before.”
Following these comments, Ighodalo’s lawyers, from the Banwo and Ighodalo law firm, issued a letter dated December 11, 2024, demanding an apology and retraction within seven days. They described Tenebe’s remarks as defamatory.
In a response dated December 17, 2024, Tenebe, through his lawyer Dr. Blessing Agbomhere of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners, dismissed the defamation claims. Agbomhere stated that the comments made by Tenebe were within his rights to free speech and based on evidence from the cited committee reports.
The letter read:
“We unequivocally state that our client did not defame your client in any way, and as such, there is no basis for a public apology or retraction of the comments made in the alleged video.
“If your client decides to escalate this issue by pursuing legal action, we will rely on the defense of justification, supported by the findings of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee and the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee, which indicted your client.”
The exchange highlights growing tensions in the political landscape of Edo State ahead of the governorship elections.