Musician cum politician Banky W and his wife Adesua Etomi Wellington have refuted a claim by one Shalom Miriam Shehu? that they took a whooping fifty-seven million Naira (N57m) from President Muhammadu Buhari to run adverts for him as he seeks re-election in the February polls.
Miriam in a series of tweets alleged that Banky’s Empire Maters Entertainment got a contract of N57m to promote Buhari but failed to honour their part of the deal after receiving the said amount.
“Your EME Company you converted to PR firm got a contract of N57m through one Abubakar Ahmed to promote Buhari. Why have you not been doing your work?” she asked and further stated she had evidence to back her claim.
She said: “I have a picture of you and your wife travelling to Abuja via Arik Air in December where the contract was signed. Your client paid for the Business class that you and Adesuwa travelled with that day. The trip was on a Sunday morning. I dare you to deny this.”
But Adesua in response vehemently denied the allegations stressing that it is an attempt to smear their reputation with mud.
She tweets: “Miriam, I don’t know u and I will never understand why you have tweeted this lie. My husband and I went to Abuja in December for the 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence. A final event was put together by the EU and as influencers, we were invited to attend.
“We weren’t the only influencers in attendance. See picture below. With date stamp…clearly showing us at the event. A good name is important to me, has always been and that is why you will NEVER find anything that supports a story about me collecting money from ANYONE.
“My husband has never collected a dime to support Buhari. There is nothing to substantiate what you have written and I’m racking my brain about why you would write this. I’m saddened too. More because it is a huge lie but life has taught me that time reveals ALL THINGS.
Adesua further dared Miriam to make available her evidence as she insisted the allegations were unfounded.
She says: “If a picture of a husband and his wife on a flight to Abuja is all it takes for someone to write something so untruthful and have people believe it, then we are in serious trouble. No-one is safe. Surely you must have substantial proof. PLEASE provide it. I’m not scared.
“Lastly, Nigeria will be great. She will thrive and she will rise above all the lies, the corruption, the turmoil. We WILL NOT BE SILENCED FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU who spew lies. We will not back down. We will not retreat and THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL. Our names and hearts are clean.”
Meanwhile Banky W has served an indication a legal action will be taken against Miriam before long.
“I've called my lawyers, and sent screenshots of the latest lies and slander used against me,” he says. “I hope the people who posted them are prepared to provide PROOF in court. Shey you have dragged my name in the mud again, you MUST provide proof of your accusations or you will go to jail.”