'Fake Lawyer' Claim: Inibehe Effiong Takes Legal Action Against Chief Umeofia, Erisco Foods For Defamation

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has given Chief Eric Umeofia, the Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, 14 days to retract and apologize for an alleged defamatory statement against him. Effiong, in a statement issued on Monday, stated that through his counsel Femi Falana, he is demanding N100 million in damages along with a published apology in two national newspapers. He warned of legal action if these demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.

He said, "During his (Chief Umeofia) interview with Television Continental (TVC) on October 2, 2023, Chief Eric Umeofia, the President/CEO of Erisco Foods Limited while speaking on the ongoing case between Erisco Foods Limited and Mrs. Chioma Okoli, made a damaging, audacious and utterly libellous claim that my client dropped her previous lawyer who accompanied her to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and went to Lagos to hire 'a fake lawyer, a charge and bail lawyer to deceive her.'"

Effiong emphasized that this claim, made publicly through Erisco Foods Limited's Facebook page, has caused him significant emotional distress and professional harm. He reiterated his credentials as a practicing lawyer in Nigeria for the past ten years and denounced Umeofia's assertions as malicious and career-damaging.

He further stated, "Based on the foregoing, I have briefed my counsel, the foremost human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN to take legal action on my behalf against Eric Umeofia and Erisco Foods Limited over the said obnoxious and destructive claims."

Effiong's demand letter to Erisco Foods Limited, served on Monday, April 8, 2024, includes requests for a written apology, a retraction of the defamatory statements, and N100 million in damages, to be fulfilled within 14 days.

He concluded by affirming his determination to pursue legal recourse against Umeofia and Erisco Foods Limited, indicating that this initial demand for retraction and apology is just the beginning of his legal actions.