Sen Sumaila to take legal action against Kano NNPP chair over alleged defamation
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in Kano State, Hashimu Dungurawa, is facing legal action over his recent remarks against the Senator representing Kano South, AbduRahman Kawu Sumaila.
Dungurawa accused Sumaila of diverting over $80 million meant for constituency projects.
Sumaila demanded a retraction and public apology from Dungurawa, failing which he will initiate legal action.
In a letter by his legal representatives, Aliyu & Musa, the lawmaker described the allegations against him as “reckless” and “libelous”.
The letter stated that the allegations, made in Hausa, falsely accused Sumaila of diverting funds intended for water and stadium projects in Sumaila LGA of Kano during his tenure as a House of Representatives member.
It was also claimed that he accepted $80 million from Abubakar Kabiru Bichi to rig the 2023 Kano gubernatorial election in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Our client is a politician with a political career free from allegations of corruption, money laundering, or election rigging,” the letter read.
The letter emphasized that Senator Sumaila has not been implicated in corrupt practices, election fraud, or other misconduct during his career, which includes serving three terms in the House of Representatives, acting as the Deputy Minority Leader, and serving as a Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters.
The statement noted that since the broadcast of the accusations, Sumaila has received calls and messages from the public expressing concern and seeking clarification.
Specifically, Sumaila demanded that the NNPP chairman retract the allegations within 24 hours of receiving the letter; publicize the retraction as widely as the original statements; and issue a public apology in two national newspapers.
