Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue state, Samuel Ortom, pictured above, is claiming the sum of N3 billion from Radio Benue, Ashiwaves FM, Global Media Mirror Limited, publishers of National Mirror newspapers, and the National Broadcasting Commission, for defamation and libel.
When the case Suit No FHC/MKD/CS/26/2015 came up at the Federal High Court, Makurdi, today the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, granted the motion brought by Ortom’s lawyers for service out of jurisdiction on Global Media Mirror Limited and the National Broadcasting Commission.
Justice Nyako adjourned the case to March 31, 2015.
In his statement of claim filed by Samuel Irabor Esq of Synergy Chambers Makurdi, Ortom averred that on Thursday, December 25, 2014, the first, second and third defendants caused the publication and broadcast of his purported disqualification as APC governorship candidate in Benue State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to the statement, the aggregate of the publication and broadcasts was that he was in consequence ineligible to contest the Benue State governorship election by reason of the alleged disqualification.
He also stated that the publication and broadcasts were false, unsubstantiated, unethical, malicious, mischievous and unfounded, in bad taste and faith as well as a figment of the imagination of the defendants.
The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated that the publication and broadcasts have seriously reduced his standing in the eyes of the misinformed members of the public and caused him great psychological and physical distress and trauma owing to the measures he took to counter them throughout the festive period.
He seeks a declaration that the publication and broadcasts were false, mischievous, unsubstantiated, defamatory and libelous, an order for the first, second and third defendants to publish a retraction and apology in two national dailies, as well as orders directing the National Broadcasting Commission to withdraw the licences of Radio Benue and Ashiwaves as well as for payment of N3 billion as damages.
Sebastian Hon (SAN), representing Ortom, moved the motion for service out of jurisdiction. The motion was granted by Justice Nyako.
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