A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia state, Umeh Kalu, SAN, has denied accusing the Nigerian army of planting bombs in Southeast and blaming members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for it.
In a statement personally signed by Kalu and sent to 9News Nigeria, the former commissioner for justice said the statements ascribed to him in the said publication is nothing but fake news and obviously a fall out of his recent open letter to the governor of Abia State.
He noted that familiar tactics of silencing all manner of dissent and contrary views on the governance structure in Abia through threat to life, gangsterism, intimidation, blackmail, falsehood and defamation portrays Abia State as a jungle and readily explains the prevailing sordid state of our affairs.
The statement reads,
“My attention has been drawn to a publication being circulated on worldnewscable.com and various online news platforms with the caption “Army Planting Bombs in the South – East & Blaming IPOB – Umeh Kalu (Ex Commissioner)”.
” The said publication has my photograph with comments purportedly made by me. I wish to state categorically, that the statements ascribed to me in the said publication is nothing but fake news and obviously a fall out of my recent open letter to the governor of Abia State.”
“I consider this publication a sponsored smear campaign by disgruntled elements and hirelings, especially from Abia State, in their bid to pitch me against security agencies that have the constitutional duty to protect me from their devilish and evil plans, thereby rendering me vulnerable to their planned attacks on my person and close family members.”
“I stand firmly by my recent views on Abia State politics and governance, as contained in my open letter to the governor of Abia State dated the 1st day of December, 2021.”
“Abia State is a democratic society governed by Laws and international conventions to which Nigeria subscribed to. My views on Abia was in the exercise of my right to free speech and inalienable right to hold opinion, subject to our extant laws on defamation, libel, slander etc.”
“The familiar tactics of silencing all manner of dissent and contrary views on the governance structure in Abia through threat to life, gangsterism, intimidation, blackmail, falsehood and defamation portrays our State as a jungle and readily explains the prevailing sordid state of our affairs.”
“I refuse to yield to these threats and will continue to place my safety, future and that of those dear to me in the hands of God who controls the affairs of all men. For our State, Abia, I hold strongly to God’s promise to his people that weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
