[size=14pt]Offensive publication: CPC disowns Fasakin as tribunal decides his fate Oct 13 [/size]
Written by Tunde Oyesina, Abuja
Friday, 07 October 2011


The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on Thursday, said it could not defend its controversial National Publicity Secretary, Mr Rotimi Fasakin, over the offensive press statement he issued, maligning the integrity of members of the Presidential Election Tribunal.

The tribunal, however, fixed October 13 for Fasakin to come and confirm or deny the authorship of the said publication.

Fasakin had obeyed the tribunal’s summon by appearing before it on Thursday but refused to deny or confirm his authorship of the said offensive publication published in about five national dailies on September 29, 2011.

The said controversial press statement led to the tribunal summoning Nigerian Tribune’s Editor, Mr Edward Dickson and reporter, Christian Okeke, who were later discharged  and acquitted after giving evidence that it was issued by Fasakin.

During Thursday’s proceeding, counsel for the CPC, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), told the five-man tribunal that he had no mandate of the party to defend Fasakin on the offensive publication, adding that he was primarily before the panel to argue the petition brought by the party against the election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

”This issue is not a matter that concerns the petition,” he told the Justice K.B Akaahs-led panel.

He also stated that he was not minded in his personal capacity to defend Fasakin, because the offensive publication concerned his primary constituency as a lawyer.

When Fasakin discovered that he was completely on his own, he prayed the tribunal for a week’s grace to check his documents in order to ascertain if he issued the said statement or not.

Earlier, he had denied receiving the summons issued on him by the tribunal adding that he got to know about the invitation through his friends, A fresh summon was promptly issued on him inside the court room with Fasakin asking for a week’s grace to determine its authorship.

Counsel for Jonathan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had objected to Fasakin’s request while urging the tribunal to give him 48 hours.

Counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), also toed the same line of 48 hours grace for Fasakin. But the tribunal acceded to Fasakin’s request of one week.

Meanwhile, President  Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, on Thursday, closed their defence after they had called several witnesses to testify in their favour.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/29324-offensive-publication-cpc-disowns-fasakin-as-tribunal-decides-his-fate-oct-13