Alleged defamation: Asasco Ltd. threatens legal action against Sahara Reporters, demands retraction

Asasco Nigeria Limited has threatened to sue Sahara Reporters over alleged malicious publication against the company. The online platform had accused the company of failing to execute several projects worth N200 million awarded to it in Bichi and Dala despite receiving full payments. The report also alleged that the company is owned by a member […]

Asasco Nigeria Limited has threatened to sue Sahara Reporters over alleged malicious publication against the company.

The online platform had accused the company of failing to execute several projects worth N200 million awarded to it in Bichi and Dala despite receiving full payments.

The report also alleged that the company is owned by a member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Lawan Shehu Bichi.

But in a letter addressed to the Editor of Sahara Reporters, the company’s lawyer, A.A Hikima and Co, demanded the retraction of the publication.

The law firm also asked medium to pay N200 million as damages, warning that failure to comply within 7 days will lead to a legal action.

“The foregoing publications, which are in fact untrue, baseless, malicious, and defamatory, were published by your media platform to impugn the reputation of our client. This is because the said Honourable Shehu Bichi is not a director with our client and was never a director with our client at any time whatsoever.

“Furthermore, all contracts referenced in your publication of Monday 29ht April, 2024, have been duly completed and paid for and fully paid.

“You are well aware that as a news and media platform, you are duty bound to disseminate only credible and factual information.

“Your publication, which is laced with falsehood, specifically injures the reputation of our client and lowered our client’s reputation before right thinking members of the public.

“in the light of the foregoing, we demand the immediate retraction of the said publication of 29ht April, 2024, an apology to be published on your media platform, and the payment of N200, 000,000.00 [Two Hundred Million Naira] damages.

“Be advised that in the absence or failure to comply with the forgoing demands within 7 days of receipt of this letter, we shall commence appropriate legal actions in court,” the letter partly reads.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the company, Abdullahi Lawan, has refuted the media report alleging that the company is owned by Mr Bichi.

In a statement, Mr Lawan described the allegations contained in the report as a tissue of lies.

He said all contracts awarded to the company at the Federal College of Education Bichi, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala were fully executed.

He noted that, contrary to claims in the report, renovation of the science complex at FCE Bichi was not awarded to Asasco Nigeria Limited.