'Fake Lawyer' Claim: I Spent five Years in the University and One Year in the Nigerian Law School” Human rights lawyer Threatens Legal Action Against Erisco Foods CEO, Demands N100m as Damages
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has demanded an apology from Chief Eric Umeofia, the Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, over what he terms as "fake lawyer claims."
Okoro David Emeka 
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has demanded an apology from Chief Eric Umeofia, the Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, over what he terms as "fake lawyer claims." Effiong, who spent five years in the University and one year in the Nigerian Law School, has given Umeofia 14 days to retract the alleged defamatory statements against him.
The demand for an apology follows claims made by Chief Umeofia during an interview with Television Continental (TVC) on October 2, 2023. Umeofia allegedly stated that Effiong dropped her previous lawyer and hired "a fake lawyer, a charge and bail lawyer to deceive her," referring to a case involving Erisco Foods Limited and Mrs. Chioma Okoli.
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Effiong, in a statement issued through his counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, expressed deep distress over the damaging and audacious claims made against him by Umeofia. He emphasized that his engagement and representation of Chioma Okoli were already public knowledge, making the allegations particularly egregious.
Effiong asserted that Umeofia's claims have caused him prolonged emotional stress and anxiety, resulting in the loss of professional engagements and financial opportunities. He highlighted his ten-year legal career, duly recognized by the Nigerian Bar Association, and refuted Umeofia's assertions of being a "fake lawyer" or a "charge and bail lawyer."
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In the pre-action notice served by his counsel, Effiong demanded a written apology from Erisco Foods Limited and its CEO, to be published in at least two national newspapers. Additionally, he sought a full retraction of the defamatory statements and the sum of N100 million as damages, to be complied with within 14 days.
Effiong reiterated his determination to pursue legal action against Umeofia and Erisco Foods Limited, emphasizing that this demand for apology marked only the beginning of his efforts to seek redress for the alleged defamation.
