Honourable Justice P. O. Kuejubola of High Court 1, Warri, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, has adjourned an alleged libel suit against African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc (ANN Plc), publishers of the Tribune titles.
The case with Suit No. W/203/2018 has Mr Ogheneovo Andrew Anibor as claimant and ANN’s Plc Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Edward Dickson, and a reporter, Tunde Oyekola as defendants over a publication on August 20, 2012.
The publication bordered on a judgement by Justice M Umukoro’s High Court of Justice, Delta State, Warri Judicial Division of a case with Suit No. W/257/2011 was filed by the claimant, Mr Anibor against the EFCC over an alleged breach of his fundamental human rights.
Justice Umukoro, however, dismissed the suit on June 12, 2012.
But aggrieved by the publication of the court judgement delivered by Justice Umukoro, Mr Anibor instituted a suit against the defendants, praying the court to award him N30 million over alleged defamation.
The case, after much dilly-dallying over the years, finally came up on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, for hearing as the claimant, Mr Anibor, who’s both counsel and witness to his suit, was cross-examined by defence counsel to ANN PLC, Mr Femi Jarrett Edema.
During the cross-examination before Justice Kuejubola, the claimant affirmed that he filed a suit against EFCC on an alleged sale of a building property belonging to Mustard Seed Micro Investment Ltd in Warri as a liquidator.
He equally admitted being arrested in Warri, taken to Asaba on June, Wednesday 15, 2011, and detained in EFCC facility in Ikoyi, Lagos for 10 days.
When grilled to respond to Justice Umukoro’s unpleasant assertion about his character in his judgement, Mr Anibor described it as ‘strange and disappointing’ – the reason, he said, made him appeal the judgement which, according to him, was also dismissed at the Appeal Court.
Anibor further informed the court that he had, since, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to determine his innocence or otherwise.
He, however, denied that the EFCC arrested him for fraudulent practices, arguing he was apprehended based on a petition dated March 4, 2011, by somebody over an alleged sale of the property of Mustard Seed Micro Investment Ltd and the collection of rent of the company’s building which he was alleged to have converted to his personal use.
He said the petition came on March 4, 2011, and his arrest by the EFCC was effected after about two months on June 11, 2011.
He added that he was released by the EFCC with a promise to recall him if the need arose, saying “but till today, they’ve not sent for me. The building I was accused of selling is still where they are. I didn’t steal nor commit any crime that was why I sued EFCC.”
During the cross-examination, Mr Anibor admitted asking the anti-graft agency, in his suit, to tender an apology in some national newspapers and to pay him N50 million as damages, but up to date, no apology has been made nor money paid.
When further asked if he notified ANN PLC of the controversial publication through whatever means before instituting the suit against the company, Mr Anibor admitted he did not.
He also admitted to the removal, through one of his agents, of a court order pasted on the company’s premises which is believed to be unethical and a contravention of a court order.
The case was later adjourned to January 18, 2022, for cross-examination of another witness of the claimant and a witness of the defendant, Ebenezer Adurokiya.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Viral Voice Note On WhatsApp Billing False
Claim: A viral WhatsApp voice note, purportedly made by the director and CEO of WhatsApp, claims users will have to start paying for WhatsApp services.
Verdict: The viral WhatsApp voice note claim is a hoax. The content is not new and has been circulated as a broadcast message several times in the past.
Experts Say Mixture Of Snail Slime, Evaporated Milk Cannot Cure Stroke
CLAIM: A Facebook user claims water gotten from snails (snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke.
VERDICT: The claim that water gotten from snails (snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke is false.
FULL STORY: On July 26, 2020, a Facebook user, Prince Nnamdi Enyinnaya Emelelu Eluwa, in a post claimed that water gotten from snails (Snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke. The post which is over a year old has recently been reshared by other Facebook users.
Marburg Virus: What You Need To Know About Disease Recently Detected In West Africa
On Monday, August 9, 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the first case of Marburg virus in West Africa in Guinea. This development has sent shivers down the spines of West Africans who are still grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. But before this dreaded disease is greeted by rumours and misinformation, here is what you have to know about the virus.APC states to establish Health Emergency Trust Fund…
FACT CHECK: US Did Not Give Nigeria 48 Hours Ultimatum To Detain Abba Kyari
CLAIM: Several social media posts claim the United States of America (USA) gave Nigeria’s Federal Government 48 hours to detain suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari, or face severe sanctions.
VERDICT: The claim is false and misleading. The US did not give Nigerian Federal Government 48 hours ultimatum to detain Abba Kyari.
and then