Kaduna businessman drags ex-milad to court

THE High Court 10 Kaduna has fixed June 19, 2017 for Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) between a Kaduna businessman, Mr Lawrence Enyesiobi, and former Military Administrator (MILAD) of Kebbi State, Colonel John Ubah (Rtd) in a case of defamation.

Mr Lawrence Enyesiobi has through his counsel, Mr Chris A Ekhasemomhe, dragged Colonel Ubah to Kaduna High Court No 10 for defamation, claiming N10 million general damages for libel.

When the case came up for mentioning on Wednesday the trial judge, Justice Bashir Sukola, adjourned the case for PTC.

In an interview with newsmen shortly after the adjournment, counsel to the defendant, Mr Ogwuche Andrew said the Conference would provide opportunity for both parties to trash out issues that are not in dispute.

It would be recalled that Mr Lawrence Enyesiobi had in a case of land dispute, in suit number KDH/KAD/497/2002 between him and Colonel Ubah, where a judgement was delivered in favour of Mr Enyesiobi on September 30, 2016 by Justice Hajara T.D Gwadah of Kaduna High Court 12.

But Colonel Ubah was not happy over the decision of the learned trial judge, and decided to petition Mr Enyesiobi through writing to the Director General, State Security Services (SSS), Abuja.

The former MILAD also petitioned Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, over the case.

To this end, Mr Enyesiobi said the letters were defamatory which meant that he is a corrupt man who is not disciplined and is, “Incorrigible in spite of the current war being waged against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari, meaning also, “That he achieved victory in suit No KDH/.KAD/497/02 by corrupt means”.

Consequently, Mr Enyesiobi is claiming from Colonel Ubah, the sum of N10 million as general damages for libel, an apology in the form of type written letter to the plaintiff and copy all the parties mentioned in the two letters, and as well an order of injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing of the plaintiff any matter which is defamatory.

Meanwhile, according to a letter of complaint to Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) dated April 24, 2017, Colonel Ubah had reminded the CJN, saying in part, “My Lord, it becomes very necessary for me to forward this reminder on the above mentioned subject, dated March 22, 2017, due to the latest development that resulted in the legal action taken against me on Suit No. KDH/KAD/202/2017 between Mr Lawrence Enyesiobi and Colonel John Ubah (Rtd). I strongly suspect this is intended to frustrate my petition that is before you so as to cover up my earlier report of corruption”.