JUST IN: NSA Nuhu Ribadu Demands Apology and ₦10 Billion from Kemi Olunloyo Over Defamatory Claims of Stolen Goods Sales to Femi Falana

National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has issued a legal warning to blogger Dr. Kemi Olunloyo regarding allegations made in a recent YouTube video. The video, which has attracted over 26,000 views, accuses prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) of purchasing stolen goods, including vehicles and real estate, from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during Ribadu’s tenure as the agency’s chairman.

In the controversial video, Olunloyo asserts that Falana had deep ties with Ribadu and allegedly acquired seized properties from the EFCC in the 1990s. The claims further allege that both political figures and cybercriminals, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys,” lost their assets, which were then sold to influential individuals like Falana.

Responding to the allegations, Ribadu, through his legal representative Marian Aigbedion, has categorically dismissed the claims as “slanderous and false.” The statement emphasized that no properties were sold during Ribadu’s tenure, and all seized assets were legally forfeited to the Federal Government through court orders, as stipulated by the EFCC Act of 2003.

Ribadu’s legal team demands a public apology from Olunloyo, to be issued both personally and on her YouTube channel, along with a complete retraction of the video. They are also seeking ₦10 billion in damages for reputational harm and other injuries caused by the video’s dissemination.

The letter from Ribadu’s counsel states, “If our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with legal action to enforce our Client’s rights.” The accusations made by Olunloyo have potential ramifications for Ribadu’s public image as a former anti-corruption advocate.

Aigbedion’s statement detailed several inaccuracies in Olunloyo’s claims, including the assertion that the EFCC existed in the 1990s. The EFCC was established by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act of 2002, and Ribadu became its inaugural chairman in 2003.

The legal letter pointed out that during Ribadu’s leadership, no assets were sold, and all seized properties were transferred to the Federal Government in accordance with the law. Aigbedion noted that Olunloyo’s video has maliciously painted Ribadu as a corrupt figure, undermining his long-standing commitment to combating corruption in Nigeria.

Ribadu has called for Olunloyo to retract her statements, stating, “Given the extensive damage caused by your false and baseless video, we demand the following… A full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers, ten reputable online news sites, and coverage across seven national and international television stations.”