The Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee, has demanded the immediate retraction and public apology over a publication alleging that his time as chairman of the association is over.
The demand was contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated August 29, 2026, issued by Douglas Ogbankwa Law Firm, Legal Practitioners and Consultants, Benin City, on behalf of Erhunmwunsee.
The letter was addressed to Kingsley Enodunwmvben AKA Eben Nasco of Silverbird Rhythm 93.7FM, Benin City, over a publication titled: “NFF Wind of Resignation: Time Up For Edo FA Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee.”
According to the solicitor, the publication, which was published on August 28, 2026, had been widely circulated across various media platforms and social media channels.
The law firm alleged that the report contained “malicious, unverified, and highly damaging allegations” against its client.
Specifically, the letter accused the publication of falsely and recklessly alleging financial impropriety, corruption and misappropriation of sponsorship funds meant for grassroots tournaments and state teams.
It also cited allegations of high-handedness, unilateral decision-making and operating the Edo State Football Association in “darkness.”
The legal letter further stated that the publication accused Erhunmwunsee of criminal negligence and dereliction of duty concerning match-day security.
According to the letter, this included allegations linking the Edo FA chairman to pitch encroachment incidents during the Nigeria Premier Football League fixture between Bendel Insurance FC and Plateau United.
The solicitor also rejected what it described as fabricated medical negligence claims surrounding the unfortunate injury suffered by player Itoro Promise.
The publication was further accused of alleging that Erhunmwunsee orchestrated clandestine moves and committed administrative failures warranting his impeachment or removal, as well as intervention by anti-graft agencies.
Reacting to the allegations, the law firm said its client considered his reputation, professional integrity and record in public service to be of the highest standard.
It maintained that the statements published against him were entirely false and baseless and were designed to malign his character, damage his reputation and lower him in the estimation of members of the public and stakeholders in the Nigerian sports community.
The solicitor further accused Kingsley Enodunwmvben AKA Eben Nasco of failing to exercise what it described as the “rudimentary journalistic duty of balanced reporting,” alleging that the publication relied on speculative claims attributed to anonymous sources while ignoring what the firm described as the verifiable realities of Erhunmwunsee’s stewardship.
The law firm subsequently issued a formal demand for the immediate cessation of any further publication, broadcast or circulation of what it described as defamatory falsehoods, insinuations or unverified claims concerning its client.
It also demanded an unreserved, prominent retraction and public apology of equal reach and prominence within 72 hours of the receipt of the letter.
The solicitor warned that failure, neglect or refusal to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would result in the immediate institution of civil legal proceedings against Kingsley Enodunwmvben AKA Eben Nasco before a court of competent jurisdiction for defamation of character, specifically libel.
According to the letter, the proposed legal action would seek ₦200 million in substantial, exemplary and aggravated damages, alongside criminal prosecution where applicable.
The letter, signed by Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., Solicitor, concluded with an appeal for “wise counsel” to prevail.
