By Amina Mohammed, Lafia.
The Rector of the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic (IMAP) Lafia, Nasarawa State, Dr. Justina Kotso, has issued a strong warning to a Nasarawa journalist, Rabiu Omaku, stating her intention to sue him for a whopping sum of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000). The allegations revolve around a malicious publication.
In a letter addressed to Rabiu Omaku, the Nasarawa state correspondent of Universal Reporters, and obtained by journalists in Lafia, the state capital, the legal representation for Dr. Justina Kotso, M. I. DIKKO & ASSOCIATES, expressed their client’s dissatisfaction with the accused journalist.
The letter was in response to an article titled “Rector IMAPOLY Formerly Nasarawa State Polytechnic in the Eyes of the Storm as Allowance of SIWES Student Disappeared Into Thin Air.” The publication accused the Rector of embezzling funds intended for students on industrial attachment. It also shed light on alleged irregularities within the Isa Mustapha Polytechnic, Lafia, including the presence of fake students and certificates.
Dr. Justina Kotso has vehemently denied these allegations and demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Rabiu Omaku. She expressed her disappointment, stating, “Your defamatory article, which has been widely circulated within the polytechnic community and beyond, has not only damaged my self-esteem but also tarnished my reputation as a respected Rector.”
The letter further outlined the impact of the false publication on Dr. Justina Kotso’s personal and professional life. It highlighted how the article had been viewed by over 70 individuals and shared across various social media platforms, causing significant distress to the Rector and leading to an onslaught of inquiries from concerned individuals.
The legal representation emphasized Dr. Justina Kotso’s outstanding track record as an administrator and academician. They stressed that she had dedicated her career to the advancement of education and had garnered both national and international recognition for her exemplary work.
The letter concluded with a strong demand for action from Rabiu Omaku and Universal Reporters. It insisted on the immediate deletion of the defamatory article from the website and the publication of a retraction and apology to restore Dr. Justina Kotso’s dignity and reputation.