Libel: Kano NNPP chair denies knowledge of Kawu’s letter

The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, on Wednesday, denied any knowledge of a letter from Senator Kawu Sumaila, demanding an apology from him over alleged libellous statements he made against the Senator.

“I have not received any letter, and no letter was addressed to me on the issue by anyone whatsoever,” Dungurawa told journalists in Kano on Wednesday.

He described the reported letter as a “rumour created by the enemy, supported by ignorance, and accepted by fools, and I am not part of any of the above.”

He warned that the NNPP would not tolerate anti-party activities by any member, including those in political office.

The chairman stated that the NNPP has always promoted a level playing field for all members to pursue their legitimate ambitions and, therefore, expects absolute loyalty from them.

Commenting on the reported crisis within the state branch of the party, Dungurawa emphatically stated that the NNPP remains “100 per cent strong and united.”

He added that the noise about the crisis in the party is simply a sign that the NNPP is a strong, united, and promising party with a winning edge.

Recall that Senator Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) had threatened to initiate legal action against Dungurawa over a “libellous allegation” he allegedly made against him.

The threat was detailed in a letter addressed to Dungurawa by Sunusi Musa (SAN), Managing Partner of Aliyu & Musa (SAN), Legal Practitioners and Consultants.

In the letter, dated 12 November, the solicitors stated: “We act as solicitors to Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (“our client”), who is currently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Kano South Senatorial District. It is on his instruction that we write this letter.

“The attention of our client was drawn to a radio programme broadcast on Freedom Radio frequency 99.5 FM, also shared on the Facebook page of the radio station and accessible worldwide. The voice clip has also been circulated to various individuals and groups on WhatsApp and Telegram platforms globally.

“By this letter, we are demanding that you, on behalf of our client, retract the allegation within 24 hours of receipt of this letter in the same manner you made it,” the legal practitioners emphasised.

They also requested that the NNPP chairman give the retraction the same level of publicity as the interview, along with a public apology to their client in two national dailies.

“If you fail to meet our demands within the stipulated time, our client will be compelled to seek legal redress in a court of law,” the lawyers warned.