The Labour Party, LP, gubernatorial flagbearer in Adamawa state, Alhaji Umar Mustapha Madawaki, a.k.a Otumba of Ekiti has instituted a ten billion naira suit against the Emmanuel Fashe led group under the Organized Labour, OL, Adamawa state platform and an online media for libelous publications.
The OL leaderships have in a joint press release, accused Otumba of being a political impostor, parading himself as LP gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa state, for which they distanced themselves from, in addition to the allegation of betrayal of trust and financial infraction against the Organized Labour, said to be before the court of law and the anti graft agency.
The writ of summons, was on behalf of Otumba claimant, issued to eight persons as Defendants, in the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in the Abuja Judiciary Division holden at Abuja, issued by Jeph C Njikonye, SAN of Jeph C Njikonye, SAN & Co. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
The 8 Defendants led by Emmanuel Fashe include, Dr B Nyakas, Nasiru Babale, Yilse Tanko Elam, Usman Babbada, Farouk Tarfa, Michael Bulger and Ninchi Services Ltd, publishers of the Gazette online.
Stating the claim, the summons described Alhaji Umar Mustapha Madawaki as “a natural person, an accomplished entrepreneur, a selfless and popular politician with a profound sense of humility, modesty and sound moral rectitude. He is a well-respected man in the society, within his state of origin (Adamawa), community and beyond. The claimant’s titled name is Otumba of Ekiti.
“The claimant contested and won the ticket of the Labour Party as its gubernatorial flagbearer for the upcoming 2023 general elections. Consequently, he was issued a certificate of return for the primary elections dated June 9, 2022, by the Labour Party, Adamawa state.
“The claimant’s election as gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party is a reflection of his popularity and good reputation among members and non-members of the Labour Party, Adamawa state and beyond.
Shortly after the claimant was issued a certificate of return as the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming general elections in 2023, the 1st – 6th Defendants published and circulated nationwide and internationally, via several online and offline media against the claimant…”
The summons commanded the Defendants “that within 30 days after the service of the writ on you inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action as the suit of the claimant and take notice that in default of your so doing, the claimant may proceed therein and judgement may be given in your absence”.
The summons explained that “the Defendants may enter appearance personally or by legal practitioner either by handing in the appropriate forms, duly completed at the Registry of the High of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in which the action is brought or by sending them to the Registry”.
The summon has spelt out the claimant’s prayers to include:
- A DECLARATION that the two written publications titled: “Mr Umar Mustapha Madawaki Cannot Be The Labour Party Candidate In Adamawa,” published and circulated by the 1st – 6th Defendants and “Breaking: Otumba Again, Denied Ticket For Labour Party In Adamawa,” published and circulated by 7th and 8th Defendants have lowered the claimant in the estimation of reasonable and right thinking members of the society and therefore, libelous of the claimant in their ordinary meaning and innuendo.
- The sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (Five billion naira) jointly and severally against the Defendants as aggravated damages for libel
- The sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (Five billion naira) jointly and severally against the Defendants being general damages for libel
- AN ORDER of injunction restraining the Defendants by themselves, servants, agents, privies or howsoever described, from further publications of the libelous matters against the claimant.
- AN ORDER mandating the Defendants to publish APOLOGY TO THE CLAIMANT AND RETRACTION OF THE LIBELOUS MATTER IN TWO NATIONAL DAILIES CIRCULATING IN NIGERIA
- Cost of Action
- Statutory interest of 10% per annum of judgment sum from the date of judgment until judgment debt is fully liquidated.
1 Comment
Specially highlighting!