The Directorate of Legal Services at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has responded to a pre-action notice from D Independent Attorneys demanding retraction, public apology, and compensation for defamation and unlawful detention of Mr. Yusuf Abdulaziz. The polytechnic denied the claims made by the attorneys, stating that the ERI-Centre, alleged to have been approved for operation at the institution, is unknown to them.
Furthermore, the polytechnic refuted claims of institutional involvement in the said project, including the allocation of office space. They clarified that a press release allegedly issued on the 29th of August, 2025, was actually published on the 30th of July, 2025, in response to identity theft and illegal use of the institution’s property by Mr. Yusuf Abdulaziz.
The polytechnic asserted that Abdulaziz was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force two days before the publication was issued and, therefore, denied any wrongdoing leading to his alleged unlawful detention. The polytechnic also notified that Abdulaziz had jumped bail and should make himself available to the police for further legal proceedings.
FULL SCRIPT:
KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC, LOKOJA
P.M.B. 1101, LOKOJA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA)
DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL SERVICES
[Office of the Director ]
Rector: PROF SALISU OGBO USMAN
PHD, FCIA, FABEN, MSC
Director:Joy Aluma MAMUDU, Esq,
E-mail-joyajuma@logistalepolytecdnic edu.ng
Our Ref:KGSP/DLS/L/2025/01
Date: 25 August, 2025
A.T Ahmed, Esq
(Principal/Founding Partner)
D Independent Attorneys
Suite F5,1″Floor
Febson Mall Zone 4
Wuse, Abuja.
Sir,
RE: PRE-ACTION NOTICE-DEMAND FOR RETRACTION, PUBLIC APOLOGY, AND
COMPENSATION FOR DEFAMATION AND UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF MR YUSUF ABDULAZIZ
I write on the directive of the Management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja to respond to your
letter on the above subject Ref:No.:DIA/KSP/2025/0048 dated 11 August, 2025, variously addressed and copied to other offices.
Accordingly, I hereby respond as follows:
1.Your claim that Kogi State Polytechnic “duly approved” ERI-Centre for operation in the
institution on 11 September, 2024 is untrue.
The so called ERI-Centre is unknown to the institution, and there is nothing in our records indicating such approval. Even as the Deputy
Rector does not have the authority to grant such approval, kindly request your client to
provide evidence (if there is any)
2. You also claimed that the “project was conducted with institutional involvement” (whatever that means),” including the allocation of office space”. Kindly ask your client to provide
formal letter of allocation from the Polytechnic Management including a Memorandum of
Understanding (If any) to justify your claim.
3.You further claimed that the Directorate of Public Relations of the Polytechnic issued press release dated“ 29th August, 2025”, while your letter of notice under reference is dated 11th
August, 2025. This goes to show that you are either not properly briefed by your client or you are not conversant with the simple date of the month. The claim is pre-emptive, as “29lh
August, 2025,” which you alluded to is still in the future.
However, for clarification, the
Polytechnic issued a publication on 30th July, 2025, in respect of impersonation of the corporate identity of the institution by one Mr.Yusuf Abdulaziz, who used the identity of
the institution under one “Environmental Resource Information Centre” to defraud
unsuspecting members of the public. The publication made by the Polytechnic was,
therefore, in good faith, as it was meant to safeguard its hard earned corporate image and
identity.
4.You also alluded that the publication by the Directorate of Public Relations of the
Polytechnic led to the “unlawful detention”of your client for three days. This is also not
true. However, the Polytechnic reported one Mr Yusuf Abdulaziz to the Nigeria Police
Force for identity theft and illegal use of the Polytechnic property, and he was arrested on 28 July, 2025, two(2) clear days before the said publication was issued by the institution.
In view of the foregoing, the Polytechnic owes your client no form of apology whatsoever, and he is therefore, not entitled to any form of compensation from the institution.
The above notwithstanding, we would like to advise that you should be properly briefed by your client on the issue to avoid being misled. In addition, we advise that you prevail on your client who
has jumped bail in respect of this issue, to make himself available to the Nigerian Police Force, for further legal process.
Thank you.
J.A Mamudu, ESQ
Director, Legal Services
cc:
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State
Government House, Lokoja.
The Inspector General of Police, Louis Edet House, Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area, Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command
Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Director, State Security Service
Kogi State Command
Lokoja
The Chairman, Governing Council,
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
The Director General
National Human Rights Commission
No 19, Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja