By Daniel Dafe
Publisher, Oasis Magazine, Daniel Dafe Umukoro, has wondered how friends can betray their own not minding their name getting thrown into the mud.
The publisher, who is to appear in court next week for a defamation case, in a Facebook post on Friday evening, said he was served court papers in his business place in Abraka a day after he got a call from one Council, a close aide to the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Delta State, Great Ovedje Ogboru, asking him to do a story to debunk claims that his boss was in charge of the road construction contract handled by Obakpor Engineering in the university town.
In his words: “Wonders shall never end. Guys mind the calls you respond to and who you give your details to!Someone (a supposed close friend in terms of media things) last night called me and said he wanted me to do a story for Great Ovedje Ogboru who he said wants to debunk rumours that Ogboru was in charge of the road construction work in Abraka done by the Delta State Government. I was very excited and obliged him…he even wanted me to come in the morning…I told him that I wont be available cos I had to be at my business place. To cut long story short, he discovered that I had a school and was even promising to bring his children to the school…Little did I know that he was only trying to find out my address in order for me to be served court papers on a defamation case by another person close to the same popular politician. General can’t be involved in this, so the said man who is supposed to be a close friend was just trying to betray me and ensure that I got the papers from the court.
“I worked into my business premises today only for a court attendant to appear and hand me the papers for the case…
I knew instantly that the call last night was to get my location. .chai…Friendenemies plenty o.
“Well, I dey prepare for court on Monday…
Imagine, dey waited till Friday to serve me so that they can destabilise me….But, God naw dey sleep…have never stepped into any court since I was born…but here I go now if God deems it fit!!!! And by God’s mercies, I will come out victorious!!!!!!
Amen!!!!!”
Meanwhile, he shared a text message from the said Council with media houses.
The text message read: “Gudmorni Beloved, I will discuss with Oga, bcus we had a little debate/discussion on it yesterday but have not concluded yest, and we are going for burial today,
“As for the school I will discuss it with my wife when I get to warri.. and probably come on Monday to look at the premises and class rooms and at the same time the standard, I will ask questions though. After all this term is over. ”
Furthermore, Umukoro urged people to be careful with responding to calls, saying if it was something else, that is how he would have fallen into the trap.
Meanwhile, he said he is innocent and hopes that the court would do justice to the matter.
He added: “I did a publication for someone that mentioned one Kigho’s name. I was smart to also allow Kigho make inputs in that story even did another for him. That’s the case I am going to court for? Let’s see how it goes sha”.
