Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has challenged Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga to show proof of his alleged involvement in the planned August 1 nationwide protest or face a N500 billion lawsuit.
Onanuga, in a post on his X account on Saturday, accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his supporters of being behind the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August.
Onanuga alleged that Utomi and some other supporters of Obi are the organisers of the planned nationwide protests against hunger, naira devaluation and economic hardship in Nigeria.
However, in a statement he signed on Monday, Utomi, a chieftain of the Labour Party, denied the allegation, saying he has been away from the country for a long time. He advised Onanuga to withdraw his statement or provide evidence of his claims.
“If there is no evidence of Mr. Onanuga’s false assertion, I will assume it reasonable that the object is to water the ground for false treasonable felony charges that can result in the claim of one’s life. I intend to therefore proceed to the international criminal and other human rights courts if a reasonable explanation is not forthcoming;
“I will also have no choice but to institute a claim of N500 billion for fake news, hate speech and intent to procure State murder of an innocent citizen. If judicial capture makes justice problematic in Nigeria I expect that I can trust extra-national institutions and global human solidarity,” Utomi said
