Foremost Human right lawyer, Femi Falana has
apologised over his claim that Kingsley Moghalu,
former presidential candidate of the Young
Peoples Party (YPP), accepted an appointment
from the current administration.
The senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN’s apologies
was contained in a statement, saying it was a
case of mistaken identity.
While speaking at a Felabration, a programme in
honour of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the senior lawyer
was quoted to have said:
“I think it is unfair to
single out Dr. Moghalu for recognition. We
should not celebrate opportunism.
“Here is a politician who contested on the
platform of a party, who has moved conveniently
to the APC. They’ve just given him an
appointment and he has just discarded his own
political party. I don’t think that is fair for all.”
Reacting via a statement, Moghalu said
“it is
surprising that a man of Mr. Falana’s standing
could make such weighty statements without
verification.”
He said:
“I am not a member of the APC. I have
not been given any appointment by the APC
government. This effort to malign my character
and reputation, by an individual I have always
respected, was a complete shock to me.
“I demand and expect an apology and a public
retraction of this falsehood from Mr. Falana.”
In response, Falana said he did not set out to
embarrass the former presidential candidate.
He said:.
“At the symposium held in memory of
the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Lagos yesterday, I
did say that Professor Kingsley Moghalu had
called it quits with the YPP, the political party
which sponsored his presidential election in
February 2019. I equally said that he had joined
the ruling party and accepted an appointment
from the federal government.
“While confirming his resignation from the YPP,
Professor Moghalu has stated that he has neither
joined the ruling party nor accepted an
appointment from the federal government..
I believe him in toto .
“I did not set out to embarrass Professor
Moghalu as it was a case of mistaken identity.
Any embarrassment caused by the incorrect
aspect of the statement is deeply regretted.”
Young-po Reporters 