I will recover every kobo of N4bn awarded against Sowore – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki said he would recover every kobo
of the sum of N4 billion damages awarded in his favour by the
Ilorin High Court against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara
Reporters, over libelous stories he published against him in
2015.

Saraki, who made this known yesterday in a statement signed by
his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, while
commending the ruling delivered by Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye
against publisher of the online platform, said the judgment was a
testament that the moral arc of the universe would always bend
towards justice.

“I will like to assure all and sundry that I will not spare any
legal efforts and expenses, both in Nigeria and abroad, necessary
to recover every kobo of the cost awarded in my favour from the
defendant,” Saraki stated.

The restitution from this judgment, he added, “will be channeled
to set up a Foundation, whose aim will be to support pure and
unadulterated investigative journalism and assist the families of
real journalists that die in the line of duty.

“The money will also be used to support genuine publications,
whose owners are struggling to pay salaries of workers or meet
their ever-rising running cost.

“Part of the money will also be channelled to help lawyers who
have been providing pro bono services to litigants, particularly on
cases bothering on enforcement of fundamental human rights.”
Explaining further, Saraki said the judgment was issued against
Sahara Reporters for constantly publishing false, libelous and
misleading stories aimed at defaming his person.

“The judgment provides a redeeming point for noble profession of
journalism, which has as its sacred, cardinal principle the pursuit
of facts at all times and in all situations.

“The journalists and news media, who have devoted themselves to
the pursuit of truth, but appear to be overwhelmed by those who
trade in falsehood and sensationalism, now have a reason to be
proud that they are on the right path,” he stated.

He said the verdict was not his personal victory alone, but a
victory for all the victims of falsehood, many of whom either out
of fear, lack of the patience to consistently pursue a court case
for years or lack of belief in the ability of the system to give
them justice decided to leave with the injury to their
reputation.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said he would recover every kobo
of the sum of N4 billion damages awarded in his favour by the
Ilorin High Court against Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara
Reporters, over libelous stories he published against him in
2015.

Saraki, who made this known yesterday in a statement signed by
his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, while
commending the ruling delivered by Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye
against publisher of the online platform, said the judgment was a
testament that the moral arc of the universe would always bend
towards justice.

“I will like to assure all and sundry that I will not spare any
legal efforts and expenses, both in Nigeria and abroad, necessary
to recover every kobo of the cost awarded in my favour from the
defendant,” Saraki stated.

The restitution from this judgment, he added, “will be channeled
to set up a Foundation, whose aim will be to support pure and
unadulterated investigative journalism and assist the families of
real journalists that die in the line of duty.

“The money will also be used to support genuine publications,
whose owners are struggling to pay salaries of workers or meet
their ever-rising running cost.

“Part of the money will also be channelled to help lawyers who
have been providing pro bono services to litigants, particularly on
cases bothering on enforcement of fundamental human rights.”
Explaining further, Saraki said the judgment was issued against
Sahara Reporters for constantly publishing false, libelous and
misleading stories aimed at defaming his person.

“The judgment provides a redeeming point for noble profession of
journalism, which has as its sacred, cardinal principle the pursuit
of facts at all times and in all situations.

“The journalists and news media, who have devoted themselves to
the pursuit of truth, but appear to be overwhelmed by those who
trade in falsehood and sensationalism, now have a reason to be
proud that they are on the right path,” he stated.

He said the verdict was not his personal victory alone, but a
victory for all the victims of falsehood, many of whom either out
of fear, lack of the patience to consistently pursue a court case
for years or lack of belief in the ability of the system to give
them justice decided to leave with the injury to their
reputation.