TROUBLE! Abuja High Court Send Strong Statement To OBASANJO, Demand 4 Million Naira Fine, See His Offense
A recent ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court has stirred controversy as it awarded the sum of N4 million against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Justice Modupe Osho- Adebiyi presided over the case and awarded N2 million to each defendant as the cost of the action.
The lawsuit stemmed from a January 27, 2019 post published by Punch Newspaper, penned by columnist Sonala Olumhense, which Obasanjo deemed defamatory. In his lawsuit, Obasanjo, represented by his lawyer Kanu Agabi, sought N1 billion in damages from the newspaper and the columnist, alleging that the article was false, malicious, and injurious to his reputation.
Saharaleporters Nigerian Court Awards N4Million To Punch Newspaper, Columnist Against Obasanjo, Strikes Out Ex-President’s Defamation Suit Sahara Reporters bit.ly/49XqHMJ The contentious article accused Obasanjo of squandering public funds during his tenure as President of Nigeria. It highlighted various instances where the former president allegedly mismanaged funds, particularly in sectors like electricity and road infrastructure. Additionally, the article criticized Obasanjo’ s handling of anti-corruption efforts, suggesting that his motivations were drivan bu narsonal vandatter rath
Following Obasanjo’ s application to discontinue the case, the counsel for Punch Newspaper and Sonala Olumhense demanded the payment of N3 million as costs for travel and filing of legal processes. However, Justice Osho- Adebiyi ruled in favor of the defendants, awarding them N2 million each as the cost of the action.
The ruling has sparked debate and raised questions about freedom of speech, defamation laws, and the responsibility of media outlets and journalists in Nigeria. While some view the court’s decision as a victory for freedom of expression and accountability, others argue that it may have a chilling effect on investigative journalism and criticism of public figures.
Critics of the ruling argue that defamation lawsuits against journalists and media organizations could potentially stifle investigative reporting and limit public discourse on matters of public interest. They point. out that journalists play a vital role in holding government officials accountable and exposing corruption, and that defamation laws should not be used to silence dissenting voices.
On the other hand, supporters of the court’s decision argue that individuals, including public figures like Obasanjo, have the right to protect their reputations from false and damaging statements. They contend that journalists should adhere to ethical standards and ensure accuracy in their reporting to avoid legal repercussions.
Overall, the ruling serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation in a democratic society. It underscores the need for robust legal frameworks that safeguard both the rights of individuals and the principles of press freedom and accountability.
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