A Nigerian lawyer, Lawson Daniel, on Tuesday, wrote to the News Editor of Premium Express News, based in Lagos, and threatened libel against the organization for spreading fake and unsubstantiated news about his client, Dr. Henry Akinduro, the CEO of Total Grace Support Investment Ltd, over a N21million transaction involving the organization and Moonluck Ventures Ltd.
Daniel, a Principal Partner at Lawson O’Brien & Co., admitted that the News medium Premium Express had issued an apology to Dr. Akinduro and his company and removed the fake news, but he nevertheless believed that Moonluck Ventures should always be cautious in the future.
According to Daniel, ‘Dr. Akinduro and his company have zero or no tolerance to fake news and shall take proper legal action against Moonluck Ventures ltd.’
In the law firm’s official statement regarding the said fake news on the transaction with Moonluck Ventures Ltd. Published on the 19th December, 2022, the company which directed its letter to Funsho Arogundade, stated as follows:-
‘That the attention of our client was drawn to a publication made by your publishing company, suggesting that he, is being man-haunted by the Police, for an alleged fraudulent act in defrauding Moonluck Ventures Ltd in a transaction.
‘That he and his company had fraudulently swindled Moonluck Ventures of N21, 000,000.
Consequent on the above, we therefore write to set the record straight concerning the above misinformation cum fake news, As the solicitor of Dr. Akinduro and his Company, we can confirm the following, to wit:
‘… That Dr. Henry Akinduro has never come in contact with any representative of Moonluck Venture Ltd nor does he have any personal dealings or connection with the aforementioned company. That The Company, Total Grace Support Investment Ltd duly introduced and connected Moonluck Ventures Ltd and the property owner for them to transact in securing loan.
‘That Moonluck Ventures Ltd loan was declined with the bank, because he has several bad loans, which he has failed to service over the years. The bank confirmed that they are heavily indebted to several banks and finance houses to wit: (FCMB N80,000,000; Boabab MFB N20,000,000; UBA bank, N9,000,000).
‘That the inability of MoonLuck Ventures Ltd to secure its loan has nothing to do with our client or his company as the company had discharged the obligation of successfully facilitating and connecting the Landlord and Moonluck Ventures Ltd.
‘That the issuing bank upon conducting a credit check on Moonluck Ventures Ltd discovered that they had credit issues with the above banks and therefore cancelled the loan.
‘That Moonluck Ventures ltd had according to records, upon failure to secure the facility it sought, for reasons not connected to our client or his company, requested for a refund from the property owner/ landlord and he also contacted the company, Total Grace Support Investment ltd to assist in that regards.
‘That upon the said request for a refund from the property owner, the property owner has been doing same since then.
‘That it took the intervention of my clients company for the monies paid to Moonluck Ventures Ltd
That we can confirm that there is no man hunt for Dr. Henry Akinduro by any police. He is law abiding and a known business man.
‘That Premium Express news has issued an apology to Dr. Akinduro and his company and has taken down the said fake news.
‘That Dr. Akinduro and his company have zero or no tolerance to fake news and shall take proper legal action against Moonluck Ventures ltd.
Kindly accept the assurance of our esteemed professionalism. Yours Faithfully
Signed ———————
LAWSON O. DANIEL Esq Principal Partner LAWSON,O’BRIEN & CO.’’
