Court Fixes June 18 To Hear Dokpesi’s N5bn Libel Suit – TheNigerialawyer

FCT High Court, Apo, on Wednesday adjourned until June 18, a N5
billion defamation suit, filed by Chief Raymond Dokpesi against the
Minister of Information and Culture and Attorney-General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice.

Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, filed the suit on
April 30, seeking N5 billion in damages from Mohammed and the
Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

He alleged that Mohammed and Malami defamed his character by the
inclusion of his name on the treasury looters’ list.

At the continuation of trial, Dokpesi while being led in
evidence by his counsel, Nkem Okoro tendered various newspaper
publication to support his claim of the defamatory statement made
by the minister in the press conference on March 30, 2018.

Publication from This day, Vanguard, Daily Trust, Tribune,
leadership and Telegraph of March 31, 2018, were tendered by the
claimant and admitted into the exhibit.

The DAAR communication boss also tendered a CD titled “politics
today “containing the visual content of the defamatory statement
made listing him among the looters of the national Treasury.

Counsel to Lai Mohammed, Mr Terhember Akpe objected, that the
content of CD is not known nor the maker.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ruled that since the foundation was
laid for the document and it was pleaded, it is admissible.

Okoro also applied and was granted permission to have the
content of the CD player in the open court at the next adjourned
day.

Dokpesi also tendered a letter written to him by the American
Embassy on March 16, revolting his visa as a result of the
Minister’s conference listing him among the looters of the national
Treasury.

He also tendered a letter written on his behave to Mohammed by
Chief Mike Ozekhome titled ” Demand for Apology and retraction and
was admitted as exhibit.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi adjourned the case until June 18, for
the continuation of hearing, at the instance of Okoro, holding the
fort for Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, counsel to Dokpesi.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Dokpesi had filed a suit
on April 30, seeking N5 billion damages from Mohammed and
Malami.

NAN reports that Dokpesi, besides the N5 billion damages, is
also asking the court to order the defendants to publish a full
retraction of the said publication.

He further asked the court to order the defendants to tender an
unreserved apology to him, in all the major electronic and print
media outlets in the country.

He also urged the court to grant a perpetual injunction
restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, partners,
representatives, from further writing, publishing defamatory words
about the plaintiff.

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