Thread by @segalink

Response to @StandtoEndRape’s Unfortunate Falsehood

I had opted to stay mute in light of Ms. @seyitannn_’s reply to the defamatory falsehood published by Stand To End Rape (STER) with regards to the resolution made by Ms. Seyitan & her family...

https://twitter.com/seyitannn_/status/1286711865050005511

...over the allegations levied against Mr. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka @iamdbanj', but now wish to make a few thoughts and rebuke public for records sake. @GuardianNigeria @PremiumTimesng @BBCAfrica @CNNAfrica @HerStoryOSNG @EUinNigeria @UKinNigeria @USinNigeria @SwedeninNigeria

At all times and as is characteristic of me, I have kept records and minutes of my conversations with Ms. Seyitan and her family. My respect and considerations for the privacy of Ms. Seyitan and family, however, forestalls the publication of same for public consumption...

...even though the accusation made against my person by STER in its statement of yesterday necessitates the release of same. I take solace in Ms. Seyitan's reply, however, but must now make this address. @SIAF_NG

STER, if a rights and public interest group by its own very definition, do have the responsibility to be honest, decent and careful with words, while eternally mindful of not misrepresenting facts.

This, unfortunately, it has woefully failed to do in its statement of yesterday wherein I was maliciously maligned and accused of obstructing the course of justice in Ms. Seyitan’s matter.

I was briefly taken aback by the unfounded accusations having expected nothing but professionalism from an organisation with such stated objectives, and it is not lost on me the weighty libel that has been occasioned me by their press release.

I do understand that STER must feel the need to explain away or justify their role in Ms. Seyitan’s matter, but do not find the justification in being the scapegoat at the receiving end of whatever motive(s) inspired such an accusation.

Let it be abundantly clear to the general public that STER's claim that I called for a meeting between Ms. Seyitan (and family) and D’banj to broker a peace-deal is a mischievous falsehood that betrays the irresponsibility and hypocrisy of the group.

As a matter of fact, Ms. Seyitan & family contacted me to communicate their interest in discontinuing their counter-suit to D'banj's defamatory action against Ms. Seyitan.

On the substance of the rape allegations itself, I have no prayers safe the wish that the truth would have been unravelled in due course.

I’m not STER, I’m not an organisation, I do not live on grants, & more importantly, I cannot continue to push for a CASE where the victim had expressed interest to discontinue same. I simply refused to take advantage of anybody's situation for publicity or some other selfish end.

I do urge all individuals and organizations within the social development space to always stand for the truth and mirror the interest of an affected party/victim of abuse in their words and actions at all times.

STER's uncharitable publication of yesterday has the weight to displace its credibility and reliability as a go-to resort for sexual abuse victims.

It is truly regrettable to witness such an unraveling of its true intent especially the seeming desperation to take advantage of victim’s ordeal for publicity and opportunities to improve their public rating.

In good faith, however, I choose to believe that STER, having had their falsehoods challenged by the primary protagonist in this matter, will exercise the decency and honesty of mind to retract the same and issue an apology accordingly within the next 24Hours, or sooner.

Failure to do so would leave me with no other choice but to pursue a legal course for defamation before a competent court.

I truly hope pride and prejudice would not constrain the prompt remedy of this regrettable publication by STER, even as it is necessary to demonstrate at all times that Ms. Seyitan’s peace of mind is of paramount interest to STER much as it is to me.

In the interim, I do hereby declare STER persona non-grata to me.

Thank you all Distinguished for the time.

Let the record reflect that upon STER’s intimation of Seyitan about their propaganda of a statement, the lady requested that she be shown what statement they were about to release. When she read it she objected to the stated falsehood but they went ahead all the same. #Agenda

This is a trend in all their publications. They have fraudulently misrepresented the fact and breached procedures of any objective intervention. They weaponized the allegation and rode on it for their own malicious agenda for profit at the expense of the lady. This is Rape.