By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ruled in favour of businessman and All Progressives Congress chieftain Nasiru Danu in his defamation suit against a Nigerian online newspaper, Sahara Reporters.
Justice Mohammed Zubairu awarded N20 million in damages against Sahara Reporters for articles published on March 5 and 9, 2021.
An additional N15 million was awarded as aggravated and exemplary damages.
The court ordered Sahara Reporters to retract the publication and publish an unreserved apology on its website to Mr. Danu.
Justice Zubairu stated, “It is to be noted that the failure or refusal of the Defendant to justify this publication against the Claimant and also its further failure to retract or take down the publication has further proved the malicious intent of that publication.”
The defamation suit stemmed from Sahara Reporters’ articles claiming Mr. Danu and top Nigeria Customs Service officials defrauded the government of N51 billion.
Mr. Danu denied the allegations and demanded a retraction.
On February 18, 2022, he filed a N6 billion defamation suit against Sahara Reporters.
Sahara Reporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore, claimed the publication was not notified of the lawsuit.
Lawyer Inibehe Effiong corroborated with that.
He was quoted as saying, “I am not aware of any such case neither am I aware of the judgement given in respect of such a case.”
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