Osinbajo petitions Google, demands removal of ‘defamatory’ video on YouTube

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has written a petition to Google Nigeria, demanding a removal of a video shared on the YouTube channel of Roots TV. 

The Vice President in the petition written on his behalf by Femi Atoyebi & Co, solicitors, described the video as defamatory. Osinbajo also stated that he will be seeking a legal redress if the video is not removed.

“It is our understanding that you have provided a platform through which an account holder named RootsTV Nigeria, an online news platform that is available through this link… is able to continuously broadcast defamatory contents,” the letter read.

“In the broadcast published on the accounts of RootsTV Nigeria on September 20, 2019, the following incorrect statements and untruths were made:

“a. Our Client was stacking up public funds from agencies directly under his supervision, with a strong insinuation that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was the principal organ by which the alleged fraud was perpetrated.

“b. Our Client was unable to explain the alleged imbalance and discrepancies on the account of the FIRS on the interrogation of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari.

“c. Our Client was unable to explain the alleged failed disbursement to all beneficiaries under the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government in Adamawa State.

“Our Client, therefore, demands that you immediately remove and/or suspend the publication/broadcast of the defamatory publication on the account of RootsTV Nigeria on the platform of YouTube.”