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

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.”]]>