Ortom N10 Billion Defamation Suit : Oshiomhole Picks Holes In Law Suit

Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National
Chairman has picked holes in the N10 billion lawsuit instituted
against him by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state at a Makurdi
High Court presided over by Justice Augustine Ityonyiman.

But, Counsel to Governor Ortom, Barr. Samuel Irabor, has argued
that the objections raised by Oshiomhole does not hold water.

Justice Augustine Ityonyiman of the Makurdi High Court who
presided over the sitting however fixed December 7th, 2018 for
hearing of the preliminary objections in the N10 billion libel
suit.

Our reporter gathered that instead of filing his defense last
weekend, Oshiomhole through his Counsel, Damien Dodo had served
Ortom with a notice of preliminary injunction hinged on two
grounds.

Dodo who appeared for Oshiomhole urged the court to give him
more time to study the suit and reply the court, also argued that
Ortom did not secure leave of court before serving his client
(Oshiomhole) with the originating process.

F. T Ajebe who held brief for Dodo further argued that the
Registrar of the High Court did not emboss his seal on the process
before serving his client.

Therefore, the Counsel to the APC Chairman pleaded for the
extension of time to enable him respond to the counter affidavit
served on him by Governor Ortom’s counsel.
Barr. Samuel Irabor, Counsel to Governor Ortom did not oppose the
plea for the extention of time.

However, speaking with our reporter in Makurdi on Sunday, Irabor
said, “We have replied them (Oshiomhole) accordingly; we have
exhibited the order of the court made on the 24th of August, 2018,
granting leave to Dr. Samuel Ortom to serve Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole and the APC in Abuja.

“We have also argued that on the bottom corner of the writ of
summons, the stamp showing the office and the designation of the
office of the Registrar Litigation is embossed on the writ of
summons so the objection does not hold water.”

But, “They have asked the court that they need time to study our
documents and reply accordingly.”

Earlier, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman of the Makurdi High Court
who presided over the sitting fixed December 7th, 2018 for hearing
of the preliminary objections in the N10 billion libel suit.

After listening to the plea from Oshiomhole’s counsel, Justice
Ityonyiman granted his prayers for hearing of the preliminary
objections to the suit.

In the suit, Governor Ortom averred that Oshiomhole allegedly
assassinated his character and damaged his reputation in an APC
sponsored press conference held on Friday July 27, 2018, where he
alleged that Comrade Oshiomhole accused him of having a hand in the
death of the two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom,
Gwer East LGA of the state on the ground that one of the priests
had preached a ‘very critical sermon’ against the Governor.

Among reliefs sought by Governor Ortom is “a declaration by the
court that the Defendants’ allegations and publication of July 27
against him are false, mischievous, unsubstantiated, defamatory and
libelous.

“An order directing the defendants to publish simultaneous
retractions/apologies in respect of the said defamatory and
libelous publication against him in the Sunday editions of 10
National Dailies circulating within Benue State as well as paid
advertorials to the same effect on the prime time beats of the
Nigerian Television Authority, Channels TV, TVC News, African
Independent Television, Independent Television (ITV), Benin, Radio
Nigeria, Radio Benue and Harvest FM.

“An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendants,
their officers, privies, assigns, surrogates or agents whosoever
called from further defaming and libeling the Plaintiff’s character
and reputation and any other order(s) that the Court may deem fit
to make in the circumstance.

“An Order of the Court awarding the sum of N10 billion as
damages in his favour and against the Defendants jointly and
severally for the defamation and libel of his character and
reputation by the Defendants.”

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