I will sue Australian negotiator who said I sponsor Boko Haram - Alimodu Sheriff

Former Borno state governor Alimodu Sheriff,
who was accused by Australian Boko Haram
negotiator Stephen Davis of being a sponsor
of
Boko Haram, held a press conference which
ended a few minutes ago where he addressed
the accusations. He denied the claims and said
he plans to sue Mr Davis. He said the campaign
against him is 'callous and unwarranted' and
those linking him with the sect are 'either
ignorant or completely out for mischief'. Some
of the things he said below...
"I condole with the people of Borno,
particularly the people of Bama, Gwoza
and Gamboru over the recent attacks. My
name has been mentioned for political
reasons over the attacks of Boko Haram. I
have been accused unfairly in connection
with Boko Haram since I left office.
"For the records, let me state
categorically that I do not share the same
ideology with Boko Haram. By my nature,
I am opposed to the philosophy of Boko
Haram." Continue.
"The recent purported interview granted
by Australian negotiator, Stephen Davies,
could not avail the federal government of
the information concerning the alleged
sponsors of Boko Haram... but he
sneaked out of the country to make false
claims."
"It is instructive to point out that I have
been one of the greatest victims of Borno.
I was a target of Boko Haram during my
time because I refused to abdicate my
responsibility."
"Among those killed by Boko Haram was
my younger brother, Alhaji Goni. Some of
my friends and associates were killed in
cold blood by Boko Haram."
"For the records, the late leader of Boko
Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, once named
me, Umaru Yar'Adua and some other
leaders as targets. He boasted he would
deal with all of us."
"I banned Boko Haram. I was the one
who made a law that outlawed the
group," he says. "The sect later changed
its name. And in spite of our efforts, the
group continued to wreak havoc."
"The sect has become captive of political
forces and [has been] used for settling
political scores".
"I have no association with any terrorists
anywhere. I have never met the group. I
cannot be a sponsor of a group I have not
met before."
"Today, there are ten thousand members
of Boko Haram terrorizing our people. All
my actions as governor was to guide my
people right."
"The fact that one of my commissioners,
Buji Koi, was named as member of the
group does not make me a member. It
doesn't make sense."
"I leave the rest for Nigerians to judge
whether it is a crime to do good to all
men."
"I will sue the Australian. I have
instructed my lawyers to sue the faceless
Australian."
"I don't have foot soldiers, as they
alleged. The allegation that some foot
soldiers who turned against me became
Boko Haram is not true."
He acknowledged that he was recently invited
by the State Security Service (SSS) but it had
nothing to do with Boko Haram.
"I am prepared to face any panel in the
world to clear my name of Boko Haram."