…clarifies true position, describe report as irresponsible fake news
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State and former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON has said that the N10 million Supreme Court rumour, making the rounds, is the handiwork of the former governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his successor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist, spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, on Tuesday June 20th 2023.
It would be recall that a faceless writer in the figment of his imagination aimed at satisfying his pay masters wrote that “the Supreme Court today, June 19, 2023, slammed a costs of Ten Million Naira against Chief Kenneth Gbagi for filing a frivolous application to join an appeal challenging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s candidacy as the PDP governorship candidate”.
But in a swift reaction, Gbagi, the former Chairman of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, debunked knowledge of any Supreme Court judgement, fining him N10 million.
Hear him; “Our attention has been drawn to an irresponsible fake news from Okowa/Oborevwori and co. A situation Deltans has suffered in the last eight years till date.
“There was no Judgement, there was no trial and Chief Gbagi was not at any time at the Supreme Court.
“For the benefit of Deltans, we have suffered from the disease that has reduced the state to joke before the entire world.
“What transpired was that Gbagi’s lawyers sought to join the proceedings at the Supreme Court for whatever it was worth.
“The Supreme Court in their wisdom has said the time for this joinder has passed under Section 285 of the Constitution of federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 that provides for time Limit and Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 not being a member of either of the parties.
“Our great father and son of Delta will like to advice that it is the same false rumour and bribery that no civilized society is willing to associate with that led to the debarment from the practice of Law of one of this SAN’s father.
“It is therefore advised that for you to make comment about Gbagi with facts, scientific and computerized details of his environment and persons, a proper in-depth research is required.
“It is a norm of the Supreme Court to slam cost as a deterrent but never was Gbagi tried or any decision against him made”.
It should be on record that as at the moment of issuing this statement, Gbagi, a law abiding citizen, is unaware of any cost of N10 million as this low level lawyer seems to pendle as rumor
According to him: “Gbagi being a lawyer himself like other lawyers like Olanikpeku and Afe Babalola who the Supreme Court has issued cost of N30 million each.
“Once Gbagi gets a ruling of the Supreme Court and any cost awarded against him, be rest assured without a blink of an eye he will comply” he stressed.
