Major Akerejola Denies authoring petition against Army Chief
FormerĀ Chairman of Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area, retired Major Olafimihan Akerejola has dissociated himself from a petition against a serving military chief, General Erema AKEREJOLA.
He distanced himself from the petition allegedly sent to anti graft agencies, alleging that the serving military chief, looted Nigerian Army Budget to run his Private firm and to purchase million dollar property in the United States.
Major Akerejola told Newsmen in Lokoja that the publication in the People’s Gazette, maligned the Nigerian Army and his reputation.
He described the allegations as false, unfounded and misleading, saying he never authored a petition to to anti-graft agencies accusing Major General Erema Akerejola of corruption, financial impropriety and misconduct.
“The crux of this press conference is to respond to a recently published misleading, damaging and malicious publication by People’s Gazette titled “EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Army General Akerejola’s family accuses him of looting soldiers’ budget to run private firms, buy million-dollar U.S. property” – a publication allegedly linked to me.
“This press conference becomes necessary because the said publication dangerously maligned my primary constituency – the Nigerian Military and it is an embarrassment to my person. I have received countless calls from within and outside Nigeria as a result of the publication.
Major Akerejola disassociated himself from the contents of the publication, urging the Nigerian Army, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the public to disregard the falsehood.
“Those who know me, know that by my professional training, I am not the type that fights battles like a coward. Whatever I do, I own up to it. For the avoidance of doubt, I will say that the petition which I know nothing about, has really cast me in very bad light.
“The said publication falsely claims that I, Major Olafimihan Akerejola (Rtd), authored a petition to anti-graft agencies accusing Major General Erema Akerejola of corruption, financial impropriety and misconduct.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am here saying it categorically that I had no hand whatsoever in the writing or submission of any such petition. The claims linking me to said petition are completely false, unfounded, and misleading.
“The most unfortunate part of it all, was that People’s Gazette threw to the dogs the basic demand of their professional calling to reach out to me before rushing to press; a clear indication that the whole thing was a hatchet job.
While enjoining the Media to cross check facts before publishing, the retired Major advised the Publisher, People’s Gazette to retract the publication, adding that he will not allow anyone or group to ruin his reputation.
The Editor-in-Chief
Peopleās Gazette
Subject: Formal Disclaimer and Demand for Retraction of False Publication
Dear Editor,
I write in reference to the article published on your platform titled āEXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Army General Akerejolaās family accuses him of looting soldiersā budget to run private firms, buy million-dollar U.S. property.ā
The publication falsely claims that I, Major Olafimihan Akerejola (Rtd) authored a petition to anti-graft agencies against Major General Erema Akerejola. This is entirely untrue. I did not write, contribute to, or endorse any such petition, and I had no involvement in any actions described in your report.
It is deeply regrettable that a media platform as reputable as yours would publish such grave allegations without the most basic verification or effort to seek my comment. The story is inaccurate, misleading, and grossly irresponsible.
I hereby disassociate myself completely from the claims contained in your publication and demand an immediate and prominent retraction, along with the removal of my name from all related references.
I trust Peopleās Gazette will do the needful to correct this damaging falsehood without delay.
Sincerely,
Major Olafimihan Akerejola (Rtd)