OSUN ACCORD CHAIRMAN IN TROUBLE OVER PRESS RELEASE AS KABTOP SLAMS HIM WITH N2 BILLION LAWSUIT.
The management of Kabtop Hotels, Osogbo has slammed the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Pastor Victor Akande with a N2 Billion lawsuit after the expiration of a 48 Hours ultimatum for a public retraction and apology in 3 national dailies for a damaging and defamatory press release against the hotel expired.
In the press release Pastor Victor Akande allegedly gave a false allegations that vehicles were being branded with the Accord Party's colours and logo at Kabtop Hotels as part of a plot by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to carry out acts of violence across Osun State. He further claimed that a "hit squad" had concluded arrangements from the hotel to unleash mayhem in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of Kabtop Hotels, Alhaji Abdulkabir Ajisope, through his solicitors, petitioned the Osun State Commissioner of Police, requesting a thorough investigation into the claims. The petition reportedly called on the police to invite Pastor Akande to provide evidence in support of his allegations and to investigate those responsible for issuing the press release.
The solicitors also demanded that Pastor Akande retract the said press release and publish an unreserved apology in three national newspapers within 48 hours, failing which legal action seeking ₦2 billion in damages for alleged defamation would be instituted.
Unfortunately, Pastor Akande failed to honour these conditions which left the hotel with no choice than to institute a legal action.
Kabtop Hotels stated that the allegations have the potential to damage its reputation and undermine public confidence in the business, which it says provides employment for hundreds of residents of Osun State.
Alhaji Abdulkabir Ajisope, an APC chieftain, is known for his political activities in Osun State, including campaigns and mobilization efforts in support of the APC governorship aspiration of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
Supporters of Ajisope believe the allegations are politically motivated and intended to tarnish both his personal reputation and that of Kabtop Hotels. As it stands now, the Accord party chairman and his collaborators are likely to face criminal charges from the Nigerian police for giving a damaging criminal false information that can stoke the fire of public disorder and a civil case of defamation and character assassination from Kabtop hotels.
