*Demands retraction in 2 National Newspapers within 14 days or risk legal fireworks.
Amidst plethora of condemnations against a libel publication by Peoples Gazette against the family of Akerejola of Ogori, in Ogori magongo LGC of kogi state, the family and Ogori Descendants Union ODU have warned people’s Gazette an online medium, that no responsible family would destroy one of her breadwinners for no just cause.
This is as the family and the Union have vowed to institute legal suit against the news medium if it fails to write retraction and caused to be published in two national newspapers within 14 days from today.
The family made the vow on Friday 25/7/2025 in a world press conference held in Lokoja.
The spokesperson of the duo, Barrister Ndakwo Abdulrahman Tanko , who is the legal counsel, said it has become imperative to let the world know the dangers inherent in the people’s Gazette indicting the family for being masterminds of a petition against their son, Erema Akerejola, a serving Major General in the Nigerian Army.
Barrister Tankwo, noted that the publication which lacked basic rudiment of truth and fairness against their illustrious and an Ogori merit award holder , was highly libelous, irresponsible, malignant and embarrassment to the family and the Ogori communities.
He lamented that Journalism, once a noble and dignified profession has been infiltrated by blackmailers, quacks and irresponsible characters, saying , if these characters are not weeded from the profession, then, it will be an invitation to anarchy.
He explained that the said petition was only in the imagination of people’s Gazette and the sponsors as there was no indictment or criminal charges against the highly professional soldier, Major General Akerejola by any anti graft agencies, even as there is no rift in the family to warrant conjectures of writing a petition.
According to him , ” This publication is an orchestrated attempt to assassinate character through lies dressed as Journalism. People’s Gazette has by allowing itself to be used , debased Journalism and this is highly unfortunate and regrettable. This is only innuendo, a fabricated whispers and sensational storytelling meant to destroy a man who has given his life to protect this country- even when it cost him peace, privacy and comfort.
” General Akerejola has never shield away from service. Wether commanding troops in volatile regions or quietly sponsoring the education of over 200 underprivileged children from Ogori . His life is a blueprint in patriotism and compassion” He said.
The legal counsel , hinted that the family and the ODU will stop at nothing , untill justice is done and those who dare to soil his legacy through weaponisation of the media are made to bear the brunt of their misconduct and ignorance in the practice of Journalism.
He said , in as much as the family and the ODU are not asking for favors, but seeking fairness, they should not misconstrued their silence for guilt or restraint for weakness .
He promised to begin the process of justice- not just in defence of a man , but in defense of truth , reputation and of the dignity that every Nigerian deserves.
Recall that People’s Gazette had forthright ago carried a story with caption: Exclusive, Nigerian Army General Akerejola’s family accuses him of looting soldiers’ budget to run private firms, buys million dollars US property,
