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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Ahead of 2027 general elections, a pro-democracy, anti-corruption and justice sector Civil Society Organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has warned social media influencers and content creators to desist from smear campaigns against the personality of Dr. Peter Adejoh, a governorship aspirant in Benue state.
The group, made up of Lawyers, gave the caution in a statement signed by the President, Edward Omaga and made available to newsmen in Makurdi at the weekend.
The organization also cleared Dr. Adejoh, who is contesting on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his management team, over allegation of siphoning investors’ funds in the defunct ‘Peach & Prime’ foreign exchange (forex) trading, exonerating him of any fraud.
The groups said it has conducted preliminary investigation into the said social media outing against ‘Peach & Prime’ and discovered it was politically motivated, as there was no court in Nigeria that indicted Dr. Adejoh over the failed portfolio management company, which was occasioned by the global economic recession of 2009, neither has anyone complained amongst the investors.
GICN who described Adejoh as an upright and sincere business man and politician with integrity, argued that rather than absconding from the country like others did, he stayed back in Nigeria despite the pressure at the time, and activated a process to refund genuine and verifiable individuals who invested in the business.
They noted that “During this period, countless legitimate businesses and investment ventures across the world suffered severe losses from the capital market. We are aware that the company, in order to demonstrate accountability, responsibility and integrity published a Public Notice through various media platforms calling on all past genuine investors to forward their claims and supporting information to a designated email address for urgent and prompt consideration, having being a business that shut down over 16 years ago.
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“We are reliably informed that most of the investors who complied with the instructions in the publication and went through the verification processes are being paid, and this window remains open and repayment is ongoing to date, demonstrating a willingness to address legitimate concerns in good faith and not out of compulsion.
“There is therefore no justification for people to prematurely label the company and its owner as fraudulent without first availing themselves of the opportunity for engagement, fact finding and resolution.”
GICN therefore, cautioned that, any attempt “by political opponents to use members of the community to discredit Dr Adejoh should be rejected entirely”, saying records clearly shows that Adejoh is an astute entrepreneur, employer of labour and philanthropist, whose contributions to society and humanitarian efforts are outstounding.
The Network noted that the governorship hopeful has impacted numerous Nigerians through scholarship initiatives, business empowerment programs, and direct support to individuals and communities in need.
They reiterated that Dr. Peter Adejoh has never been prosecuted and or convicted by any court of law for fraud relating to the operations of the now defunct Peach & Prime Limited.
The group, therefore, condemned in totality, “the attempt by some enemies of progress and social media attack dogs who have made spreading of rumours a stock in trade”, to cash out on the ill-fated business of over 16 years ago and urging them to desist from such acts as Dr. Adejoh interest for governorship aspiration is already a settled issue.
