Maxwell Opara, apologises to Nigerian police and Ms. Asabe Waziri over harassment and defamatory allegations.
Maxwell Opara, a prominent lawyer, has issued a formal apology to the Nigerian police and Ms. Asabe Waziri, a public servant and founder of Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI), for accusations of harassment and defamation against his colleague, Victor Giwa.
In a detailed statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Opara clarified that he had been misled by Giwa, who is also a legal practitioner. Opara had initially believed that the police and Waziri were responsible for harassing Giwa. On June 26, Opara, representing the group Lawyers of Conscience, had announced his intention to sue Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, accusing him of failing to address the alleged harassment of Giwa.
During a press briefing, Opara had called for the Inspector-General of Police to take action, alleging that Waziri was instigating the police to carry out unlawful activities in relation to cases pending before competent courts. Opara’s claims suggested that Waziri was using her influence to direct the police to act improperly.
However, Opara has since retracted these claims in his recent statement, acknowledging that he was misled by Giwa. In his retraction, Opara stated: ” I would like to inform the public that Barrister Victor Giwa misled me by providing false information regarding the entire issue. My investigation with the Enforcement Unit of the FCT High Court revealed that the enforcement actions were carried out in accordance with the law, contrary to what Victor Giwa had claimed. The Enforcement Unit conducted the eviction lawfully, and the police acted in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s order that Ms. Asabe Waziri be reinstated into the property. I sincerely apologise to Madam Waziri Asabe for the unfounded accusations and any distress they may have caused her”
The controversy stems from Waziri’s purchase of a property from Abuja property developer Cecil Osakwe. This transaction led to a series of legal disputes, culminating in several court cases before the FCT High Court and the Court of Appeal.
To view Maxwell Opara’s full retraction and his apology, please watch the video below:
