Marketing Edge has contested the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria’s assertion of a breach in the institute’s Act 2003 related to ‘rating.’
The publication is now calling for an apology and retraction from the NIMN following what it deemed as damaging reports, according to an official statement.
Expressing dissatisfaction, Marketing Edge’s letter, signed by its attorney, Felix Akinnisola of Akinnisola – Olubodun & Co Chambers, urged the Council to retract its statements.
The letter accused NIMN of engaging in a campaign of calumny, malicious damage, and falsehood. Marketing Edge insists that the claims in NIMN’s letter are misconceived, ill-advised, and preposterous.
The statement reads, “Following from the above is the fact that Marketing Edge is not a member of your institute by registration or practice such that she could not be brought under your supervision or regulations.
One would have expected that you do your due diligence to know corporate entities that are your registered members before embarking on this sort of macabre dance,” the letter stated.
Further describing the Council’s letter as vague and ambiguous regarding the section of the cited law that was purportedly breached, the letter pointed out that Marketing Edge’s activities do not purpose, pretend or attempt to delve into issues relating to regulating the practice of marketing in so much as it relates to the authority granted to NIMN as an institute.
“Our client as a research organisation and a media practitioner is constitutionally right to freely express an opinion based on their years of research work and media practice without the imprimatur of anyone or body of persons.
“Your alleged breach is nothing but an exercise of the right of free speech as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
It is also enshrined in the UN Charter of Human Rights on the right to freedom of speech and opinion. Our client does not require your approval before exercising such a right.
“It is therefore preposterous, absurd, ridiculous and laughable that rather than wait to hear our client’s response to your letter of November 8th, 2023, you went ahead to release a malicious, defamatory, spiteful, poisonous and venomous publication in The Punch Newspaper of 24th, November 2023, with the aim and intention of injuring the unblemished business, corporate and personal reputation of our client that had been built over the years upon strong ethical practice,” it added.
