A member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, and his wife, Layla Ali Othman, have threatened to file criminal and civil suits against controversial Abuja-based socialite, Sadiya Ahmad Marshall, over alleged defamatory remarks against them.
On December 27, Ms Marshall, in viral video clips, had made several allegations against Mrs Gagdi.
Some of the allegations included an alleged secret romantic relationship with former chairman of defunct Pension Reform Tax Committee, AbdulRasheed Maina, who is serving his jail term in Kuje prison.
But the duo, through their lawyers, demanded apology from Ms Marshall within seven days or face legal action.
in a letter dated January 31 and addressed to Ms Marshall, the lawyers to the complainants, J.J. Usman, SAN, and CO, said the social media rants by Ms Marshall have caused his clients serious political/business embarrassments, psychological trauma, and unquantifiable humiliation.
“However, you have intentionally made some inflammatory and derogatory remarks against the persons of our clients, particularly with the underhanded motive of disparaging and assassinating our clients’ reputations before their teaming supporters, customers, and other well-meaning members of society.
“Specifically, Our Client’s (Hajiya Laylah Ali Othman’s) brief reveals that for no just cause, and in an unprovoked manner, you have taken a leave from caution, and you have completely gone outside the purview of reasonableness by taking to the social media (Facebook) platform to publish a video.
“In the said video of 27/01/2024, you maligned our client with imputations of crime; unchastely immorality; laced with an unhealthy and unwarranted remarks, all of which have had adverse implications on her business and corporate life.
“In the myriad of falsehoods and in the array of lies paraded in your video, as indicated above, you have expressly accused Our Client (Hajiya Laylah Ali Othman) of allegedly selling substandard furniture to the public.
“Also, you went on to discourage the members of the public from patronising her and further described her as a dishonest person who is not worthy of any commercial patronage.
“Not done. You further called on NAFDAC to extend her investigation to Our Client’s restaurant; you have said this on the notion that Our Client’s food is far below the required standard and more so, that Our Client usually adds fetish substances to her food to attract customers through voodoo.
“In furtherance to the above, you have also accused our client; (Hajiya Laylah Ali Othman) of propagating feminism, thereby encouraging young ladies to begin to grow into having disregard for their male counterparts.
“By this innuendo, you have projected our client as someone whose ideology is against Islamic civilization and against the teachings of Prophet Mohammed SAW (Peace be upon him).
“As if on cue, you went on to accuse our client of prostitution and adultery. In a clear intent to ruin our client’s marriage, you have accused her of going to Kuje Correctional Services to have illicit affairs with Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina (a convict and an inmate).
“In furtherance to your antics, you have also accused our client of sleeping with several other married men in exchange for gifts amongst several other earthlings.
The letter added that Ms. Marshal claimed houses owned by the businesswoman were bought from the proceeds of immortality.
“Uncontrollably, you further accused Our Client (Laylah Ali Othman) of marrying Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi because of the latter’s wealth, influence, and political status. In an infamous bid to make your accusation appear believable; you credited her (Our Client) to be the source of your information.
“As if not done, yet, you stated that Our Client (Hajiya Laylah) duped her husband, Rt. Hon. Gagdi (also Our Client) and lured him into marriage while sending nude pictures to men while at the same time coming back to sit beside him [Hon. Gagdi], the letter added.
The law firm said the attacks were intentionally carried out “to drop our client’s popularity amongst his teaming supporters and to also stain their peaceful home front and union.
“BE IT KNOWN TO YOU that your defamatory statements have exposed Our clients to serious political/ business embarrassment, psychological trauma and unquantifiable humiliation.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that your distasteful remarks were sponsored by Our Client’s political opponent and bearing in mind your selfish interest.
“It is against the above background that we hereby demand an immediate retraction of the above defamatory statements made against our clients on the various social media within 3 days of the receipt of this letter,” it added.
