Bigamy Suit Still Pending, Susan Tells Nigerians to Disregard Husband’s Warning

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The estranged wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Susan Lokpobiri, has rejected a public notice issued by her husband, warning Nigerians and corporate organisations against engaging in business or financial transactions with her and an NGO associated with her.

Senator Lokpobiri had, in a public notice signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, and published in some national newspapers, warned Nigerians and corporate organisations against engaging in any business or financial dealings with his estranged wife, Susan.

He stated that Susan was no longer married to him and did not represent him, the office of the Minister or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in any capacity.

Reacting to the notice, Susan said: “I have read with dismay the public notice issued by my estranged husband, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, warning Nigerians and corporate organisations against engaging in business or financial dealings with me and an NGO associated with me.

“I consider the notice unwarranted, misleading and unnecessary. I wish to state categorically that I do not represent my estranged husband, nor do I pose any threat to his office or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have instituted legal proceedings against him for bigamy, and the matter is currently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

In a statement signed by her and issued to newsmen, Susan explained that the legal action arose from circumstances surrounding her husband’s abandonment of the family and his decision to move in with another woman.

She said: “I am therefore surprised that, rather than allow the matter to be determined through the appropriate legal process, he has chosen to make a public declaration that seeks to portray me and my activities in a negative light.

“His action has subjected me and our son, who is a legal practitioner, to unnecessary embarrassment and public scrutiny.

“I wish to emphasise that I am not a threat to anybody, and neither is my organisation. I have no intention of interfering with his official responsibilities or the operations of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

“I also wish to clarify that I have not benefited from his ministerial position. Even after his appointment, I deliberately maintained my distance and continued to pursue my personal interests independently.”

She further explained that the Reaching Every Adult and Child Foundation was a legitimate organisation established to pursue its objectives, adding:
“It does not constitute a threat to any individual, public office or government institution.

“The minister’s public notice should not be misconstrued as evidence of any wrongdoing on my part or that of the foundation.”

Susan, therefore, urged members of the public, corporate organisations and relevant stakeholders to disregard the misleading impression created by the notice and allow the court to determine the issues currently before it.

She expressed her commitment to protecting her rights, dignity and reputation through lawful means.