Hearing in the N150 billion libel suit filed against DAAR
Communications by a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola
Tinubu, has been fixed for May 27.
Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of the broadcast outfit, is
one of the witnesses to testify at the resumed hearing of the suit.
one of the witnesses to testify at the resumed hearing of the suit.
Others listed to testify against Mr. Tinubu are Namure
Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze
and Stanley Bassey.
Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze
and Stanley Bassey.
Mr. Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit against Daar
Communications Plc, owners of AIT, over the documentary titled “Lion of
Bourdilion’’.
Communications Plc, owners of AIT, over the documentary titled “Lion of
Bourdilion’’.
He had alleged that the documentary which the station
started airing on March 1, was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.
started airing on March 1, was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.
However, in a counter-claim filed by AIT on Tuesday, the
defendant denied the allegations as contained in the claimant’s amended
statement of claim.
defendant denied the allegations as contained in the claimant’s amended
statement of claim.
Mr. Dokpesi, in his statement on oath, said that Mr.
Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non- existent ground because the said
documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilon”, but “Unmasking the Real
Tinubu”.
Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non- existent ground because the said
documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilon”, but “Unmasking the Real
Tinubu”.
He also said that the documentary, in his honest opinion,
was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.
was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.
Mr. Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the fourth estate of
the realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times,
hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.
the realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times,
hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.
He further averred that the contents of the documentary were
facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades.
facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades.
According to him, these were published independently prior
to the broadcast and had remained unchallenged till date.
to the broadcast and had remained unchallenged till date.
Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court has fixed
hearing till May 27.
hearing till May 27.
(NAN)
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