Former member of the House of Representatives and Rivers State governorship aspirant, Farah Dagogo, has denied reports that he instituted a court action against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its governorship primary in the state.
Reports circulating on social media and other communication platforms had alleged that Dagogo approached a court to challenge the party’s primary election and that the suit was subsequently dismissed.
However, in a statement personally signed on Monday, the former lawmaker described the reports as false, misleading and unauthorised, insisting that he neither filed nor authorised any legal proceedings against the ADC.
Dagogo said the publication was an attempt to misrepresent his position, damage his reputation and create unnecessary tension in Rivers State’s political environment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state categorically that I, Dr. Farah Dagogo, never instituted any suit against the ADC, whether in respect of its Rivers State governorship primary or any other matter concerning the party,” he said.
He also denied engaging any lawyer to file a suit on his behalf, deposing to an affidavit or authorising the preparation and filing of any court processes against the party.
Dagogo challenged those circulating the allegations to provide verifiable evidence, including the alleged suit number, the court where the case was filed, the filing date and the identity of the lawyer purportedly representing him.
He also demanded certified true copies of the originating processes, affidavits and any judgment or court order allegedly issued in connection with the purported case.
According to him, the absence of such particulars raises questions about the authenticity of the claims and the possible unauthorised use of his identity.
“The use of my name in connection with a purported court action that I never authorised raises serious questions of possible impersonation, forgery and other unlawful conduct, which must be properly investigated,” he said.
The former lawmaker warned that the unauthorised use of his identity and the circulation of false allegations capable of damaging his reputation could attract civil and, where the relevant legal requirements are met, criminal liability.
He said his legal team had been instructed to investigate the origin, authorship and circulation of the publication, identify those responsible and take appropriate legal steps to protect his rights and reputation.
Dagogo added that anyone found to have engaged in actionable defamation, forgery, impersonation or other unlawful conduct would be held accountable through the appropriate legal channels.
He maintained that freedom of expression did not give anyone the right to fabricate court proceedings or falsely attribute legal actions to another person.
Reaffirming his respect for the judiciary and the rule of law, Dagogo insisted that he had not taken the ADC to court over its Rivers governorship primary.
He urged members of the public, political associates, supporters and other stakeholders in the state to disregard the reports and avoid further circulating claims that had not been substantiated by credible evidence.
Dagogo also said the controversy would not distract him from his political engagements and commitment to good governance, democratic development and the interests of Rivers State residents.
