Odinkalu, Osori vs Odili’s Defamation Suit: Court Sets Feb. 9 For Ruling On Jurisdiction

By Tina Amanda

A Rivers High court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to
the 4th of February 2019 for ruling on jurisdiction in the
libellous suit filed by the former governor of Rivers state, Dr
Peter Odili against the former chairman of the National Human
Rights Commission, Professor Odinkalu and Ayisha Osori.

Dr Peter Odili is seeking an interlocutory Injunction to stop
further distribution of the book, TOO GOOD TO DIE, which is based
on how former President Obasanjo plotted and failed in 2006 to
amend Nigeria’s constitution for a 3rd term in office.

In the defamation charges prepared for Odili, the former
governor said he took note of excerpts of the book in which the
authors narrated how late politician, Harry Marshall, was
assassinated soon after they publicly fell out with each other in
2003.

The book cited a letter which Marshall had written to the police
in Rivers at the time, expressing strong concerns about a growing
spate of intimidation and violent attacks against members of the
All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state.

The book also painted vivid details of how Odili helped bankroll
the third term agenda which Obasanjo pushed to perpetuate himself
in power beyond the 2007 expiration of his
constitutionally-approved two terms of eight years.

“Most of the cash distributed in support of the project were
wrapped in bundles bearing the stamp of First Inland Bank. Unknown
to most people, First Inland Bank’s history lay buried in networks
of loyalty between some of the most influential leaders of the
ruling party, including President Obasanjo himself,” the authors
wrote on page 162.

“The corporate trail however disclosed a deep financial bond
between the president, Senator Ararume and the governments of
Bauchi and Rivers States, then ruled, respectively, by two of
President Obasanjo’s closest governorship acolytes, Adamu Muazu and
Peter Odili, who were at the centre of shadowy, complex, unlawful
and, almost certainly, criminal financial operations behind third
term,” the authors added.

The Trial judge, Justice AUGUSTA CHUKWU after hearing arguments
from counsels on jurisdiction, adjourned the case to the 4th of
February for ruling on jurisdiction.

Speaking to journalists after the sitting, counsel to Dr Peter
Odili, Agabi Kanu, SAN, said his client is in court over a book
which is found offensive to his client.

On his part, Professor Odinkalu and Ayisha Osori’s counsel, OPI
IDAYE said the ruling on jurisdiction will determine if the case
will continue.