The Chief Executive Officer of Baye Homes, a real estate development company, Zubeida Abdulrahaman, has issued a formal pre-action notice to media organisations, The Encounter News and Platform Times, demanding ₦2 billion in damages from each outlet over what she describes as false, malicious, and defamatory publications.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Abdulrahaman alleged that the publications contained unverified allegations intended to damage her professional reputation and commercial interests. She further asserted that the reports were sponsored or instigated by a competitor within the real estate sector to undermine her business operations.
According to her, the dispute arose following an incident in the Kuchiyako area of Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, where unidentified individuals, described as foreign nationals, allegedly entered a parcel of land measuring approximately 70 hectares belonging to her company and commenced grading activities using heavy equipment.
She stated that upon confrontation, the individuals inquired about the cost of acquiring the property. Abdulrahaman maintained that she categorically declined any proposal to sell the land, asserting that the property is lawfully owned by her company with valid title documentation. The matter was subsequently reported to law enforcement authorities and was resolved at that level.
Abdulrahaman expressed concern that subsequent media reports accused her of land grabbing, trespass, and other criminal conduct. She described the allegations as entirely unfounded, misleading, reckless, and injurious to her reputation.
She further alleged that she was neither contacted nor afforded an opportunity to respond to the claims prior to publication, describing the omission as a breach of journalistic standards, the principles of fair hearing, and responsible media practice.
In addition, she objected to the use of her photograph in connection with the contested publication, stating that the inclusion of her image in what she characterises as a false narrative significantly aggravated the reputational and commercial harm suffered.
The CEO indicated that unless an immediate retraction, public apology, and corrective publication of equal prominence are issued, legal proceedings will be instituted seeking ₦2 billion in damages against each media organisation.
Efforts to obtain comments from representatives of The Encounter News and Platform Times were unsuccessful as of press time, as calls to the respective outlets were not answered
At Baye homes we remain dedicated and focused our team remain ease and transparency.
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