The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has decried the unauthorised use of her name to advertise events.

The former Minister of Finance, in a statement by her Media Adviser Paul Nwabuiku, lamented that the act has intensified in recent times.

The WTO DG warned those behind the act to desist from it or leave her with the option of taking legal action against them.

The statement read, “It has come to our attention that invented comments on political and other issues falsely attributed to the former Minister of Finance, now DG, World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are being disseminated on online platforms as well as on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media.

“These efforts are obviously directed at mischief-making as the faceless people behind them are seeking to make Dr. Okonjo-Iweala a tool of whatever agenda they are pursuing.

 “The fake comments are part of a long-standing pattern of misusing Dr. Okonjo Iweala’s name, which has increased in recent times.

“For instance, her name has recently been used to advertise all kinds of public events without any prior discussion or permission.

 “These actions are clearly wrong and her office has had to respond to inquiries on issues and events that she knows nothing about.

“We urge the persons or groups responsible to desist from their unethical and illegal activities as Dr Okonjo-Iweala may be forced to explore legal options to stop the misuse of her name.”