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Ortom slams N60bn suit against Special Duties Minister, Akume
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Friday filed a N60 billion suit against the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, at the Makurdi High Court, for defamation.
The Governor dragged Senator Akume to court over his last Monday media outing in Abuja where he among others accused the Governor of diverting public funds, encouraging stockpile of armies and killings as well as arming militia gangs in the state.
In a Suit No. MHC/268/2021, filed by Mr. Okon Efut and four other lawyers, Ortom in a 17-paragraph statement of claim is asking for N50 billion as general damages for libel and N10 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
The Governor is also asking for a declaration that “the text of Senator Akume’s press conference on 30th August, 2021, in Abuja and the reports in various national dailies is scandalous, malicious and injurious of his person.”
READ: Oshiomhole faced with imminent N10b judgment apologises to Ortom
He complained that the press conference was intended to lower his estimation before right-thinking members of the society and to expose him to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
Ortom is further asking for a perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant by himself or through any agent, servants or privies from similar or further publication of any defamatory statement against him.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the matter.
