Musiliu Obanikoro

Funsho Arogundade
Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro, Nigeria’s immediate former minister of state, Defence, is angry and has threatened to battle and sue Saharareporters over the online news portal reports unearthing his private life in the United State where he presently resides.

In a series of tweets on his Twitterhandle @MObanikoro Tuesday afternoon, the controversial former junior minister said he would not ignore while Saharareporters drags his children into what he described as a “deliberate campaign and onslaught” against his person.

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t dignify @SaharaReporters with a response to its shameful journalism but there’s a limit even to new media madness.
“Dragging my children into your deliberate campaign and onslaught against my person, however will not be ignored…
“…and I demand you cease and refrain from this practice and limit your scope to me only…” Obanikoro tweeted.

Saharareporter earlier today tweeted, alleging that Obanikoro bought a home in the US in 2014 while still serving as a minister.

In the tweet, the news portal listed two of Obanikoro’s children ( Obanikoro Ayotunde G and Obanikoro Adebola O) as purported owners of the 0.0200 Deeded Acres town home.

“HIDEOUT LOCATED: Ex-Defense minister @MObanikoro purchased a home in Gwinnett County in Georgia, US in 2014,” the portal tweeted.

But in his response, Obanikoro tweeted: “For the record: I’ve been in public service since 1992, and I have never owned or currently own a home anywhere in the world outside Nigeria

“I am however proud of my son and his family who are private citizens for their accomplishment as they have the right to do so,” he tweeted.

He continued: “I still have a case against @SaharaReporters and its owner filed at their “hideout” in the State of New York, USA.

“This latest recklessness by @SaharaReporters will surely and certainly add to the body of evidence against this hack journalism platform…

“Perhaps this is in retaliation to the suit, but be rest assured, I won’t be deterred and will pursue the libel case to a logical conclusion.

“While I remain open to answering ANY question on my conduct as a Public Servant in ANY Administration at local, state and federal levels…

“I urge Responsible Journalism Practitioners to refrain from helping hack journalists bring their noble profession into disrepute…

“… with baseless rumours and the blind crusade of an already biased and bought media platform.

“My goals now: To seek further education as I am doing in pursuit of a degree in History at the Oglethorpe University in Georgia, USA and to Mentor the Next Generation of Leaders in Nigeria in Diligent and Forthright Public Service.”

On Monday, reports filtered out that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has received more evidence linking Obanikoro with the infamous Ekitigate election scandal of June 2014 and the related plot to rig the Osun State gubernatorial election, and an alleged N1.45 billion funds meant for the process.