FIRS boss Hamisu Ibrahim threatens lawsuit, demands N25million exemplary damages

Days after Africa Update’s report on an alleged vindictive transfer of some staff working with the Rivers State office of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the State Coordinator, Rivers, Edo and Delta States, FIRS, Hamisu Ibrahim, has denied allegations made.

Ibrahim, has gone on the offensive against Gloria Boma Harry, the Publisher/ Editor in Chief of Africa Update, with a threatened libelous/ defamatory lawsuit. “We have been briefed and our services retained by Mr. Hamisu Ibrahim, State Coordinator, Rivers, Edo and Delta State, Federal Inland Revenue Service, (hereinafter referred to as”our client” ) and on his behalf and instructions we write to you.

“Our client informed us that you are the Editor in Chief of an online news media known and referred to as Africa Update.
” Your said online news media on the 11th of August 2022 made a libelous/ defamatory publication about our client which we consider too gross and offensive to repeat on our letter head; hence we make bold to state that the said publication was completely false and unfounded.

“We are more concerned that as a news media you unethically and unprofessionally published such malicious article without an investigation and made same accessible on https/africaupdatenewspaper.com/news/rivers-firs with the heading staff -dies-after-boss-allegedly – makes – vindictive- transfer/. Your said publication was brazenly unconscionable, maliciously calculated to denigrate and damage the hard earned reputation of our client and lowered his estimation in the eyes of right thinking members of the general public,” reads a letter dated August 15th, signed by John Obumneme Esq, Principal Solicitor at Just Jurist Chambers.

The said letter stated that Africa Update should write a retraction with apology, which should be published on a national dailies not later than 7 days of the receipt of the letter and a payment of N25million exemplary damages.
“Take notice that in the event of your refusal, delay or negligence to accede to our request in the preceding paragraph, we would have no other choice than to pursue and enforce our clients inalienable and constitutionally guaranteed rights which have been breached by you and your paymasters, in a court of law,” the letter further stated.

Reacting to the development, Gloria Boma Harry said, the publication was made to bring to public knowledge the alleged sufferings of those whose rights to certain benefits as provided for by the “FIRS Human Resource Policies and Processes, page 165 section 7.6.9: captioned: Allowances for First Appointment or Transfer,” that was referenced in the article, were infringed.

She stressed that the publication was not made to defame him or anyone but Africa Update only performed her role as a news media, in particular, haven been afforded leeway to publish what they feel is newsworthy, to prevent the chilling of free speeches.

Harry reiterated that as a gatekeeper, her platform owes citizens the opportunity to freely express themselves and tell all sides to a story. She revealed that efforts to get his side of the story didn’t yield any results at the time the story broke and expressed delight that he has responded to the allegations of sexual harassments made against him, which he claims to be false.
She however, urged Ibrahim to use his good office to address other issues raised in the story that bothers on welfare packages to cushion the untold sufferings of those who have been away from their families since May, 2022.