Nigeria’s Minister for Information and Culture, Lai
Mohammed, has threatened to sue the Daily
Independent newspaper for libel over a news
report that the ‘Change Begins With Me’ concept
was stolen by the minister, and that the launch of
the campaign gulped N3.4 billion.
Mr. Mohammed has also threatened to sue Akin
Fadeyi, a creative artist and former head of
communications at Airtel Nigeria, and one Omo
Bazuaye for allegedly claiming that he stole the
campaign concept from them.
President Muhammadu Buhari on September 8
launched the national re-orientation campaign, in
Abuja, to reset the nation’s decaying value
system. But the event was immediately tainted
with allegations of copyright theft.
The Information Minister, through his lawyers,
Falana & Falana’s Chambers, said his reputation
has been badly hurt by these allegations.
The minister, through separate letters, gave the
newspaper and the duo of Mr. Fadeyi and Mr.
Bazuaye seven days to retract the “libelous”
statements or be ready to meet him in court.