STATEMENT OF CLAIM
PRELIMINARY ISSUES:
The Claimant was born on the 6th of December 1960, aged 62years, served as a former Minister of Petroleum of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Board and former Chairman of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Claimant has resided in the United Kingdom since 22nd May, 2015, when I voluntarily travelled to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
That the Clamant served as the Minister for Petroleum Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2010 and 2015 in the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Administration and before then, she had served as Honorable Minister for Transportation and Honorable Minister for Mines and Steel Development under the President Umaru Y’ar Adua Administration between 2007 and 2009.
The Claimant before serving in the Government of the Federation, had held the position of Executive Director in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, being the first Woman ever to be so appointed to that position in Nigeria, in the history of the Corporation and during the course of her service as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, she spearheaded the enactment and implementation of the Nigerian Local Content Development Act, which made provisions aimed at encouraging and securing the participation of Nigerian companies in the provision of services in both the downstream service sector and the upstream exploration and development sector of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria. For the first time in Nigeria’s 90 plus years of oil exploration and producing history, an unprecedented number of Nigerian companies began doing very highly technical work within the industry. This resulted in the current figures of over 100,000 direct jobs gotten from over 9,600 operator and service companies, as well as over 400,000 indirect jobs. This singular initiative has also ensured current Nigerian content levels of over 54%, in the downstream service sector alone.
Amongst many other implemented policies introduced by the Claimant, she also re-drafted the critical Petroleum Industry Bill in order to achieve a much higher degree of transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector and a fairer and more equitable national distribution of Petroleum profits, to increase Nigeria’s percentage share of the lucrative deep offshore exploration profits.
The Claimant have served Nigeria in various international positions and fora of note. Some of these positions were:
Head, National Delegation to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), 2010 -2014.
President, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), 2015.
President, Ministerial Mtg, Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), 2015.
Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) Committee of Ministers, 2015.
Chairman of the Africa Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) 2014/2015.
The Claimant also served Nigeria in the following capacities:
Alternate President Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), 2014
Alternate President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),2014
Chairman, Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), 2014
Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), (2010-May 2011), (July 2011-May 2015)
Chairman, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), (2010-May 2011), (July 2011-May 2015)
Board Member, Niger-Delta Power Holding Company, (2010-May 2011), (July 2011-May 2015)
Member, Presidential Committee on Power, (2010-May 2011), (July 2011-May 2015)
Member, National Economic Management Team, (2011-May 2015)
Member, Economic Management Implementation Team, (2011-May 2015)
Towards the end of the tenure of the administration of President Goodluck Beetle Jonathan, the Claimant was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of breast cancer –Triple Negative Cancer and was hurriedly flew to England on 22nd May, 2015, in order to undertake a critical course of treatment, which consisted of two operations, eight months of intensive chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy and have remained in England ever since then, undergoing medical care and treatment.
The Claimant is also an Architect and held the Fellowship of several international bodies and associations in addition to being an accomplished Public Administrator, and have received several international and local awards for her outstanding performance built on a solid foundation of hard-work, integrity, strength of character and illustrious family pedigreeTHE DEFENDANTS
The 1st Defendant is a Statutory body responsible for investigating complaints bordering on money laundering and other financial crimes, as well as perceived breaches of the provisions of its enabling Act.
The 2nd Defendant is the Minister of Justice and Chief Law Officer of the Federation, who may sue and be sued on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
THE PUBLICATIONS COMPLAINED OF ARE DEFAMATORY AND REFERRED TO THE CLAIMANTOn the 16th day of December, 2021, the 1st and 2nd Defendants, in a publication titled, ”Diezani: EFCC uncovers additional $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank”, maliciously wrote, authored and/or caused to be written, authored, or published to the whole world at large of and concerning the Claimant, through the 1st Defendant’s online official website platform to wit:
https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/other-pages/search?searchword=diezani%20money%20in%20fidelity&searchphrase=all&limit=10&start=10
through which publications they falsely and maliciously described the Claimant as a common criminal
who looted public funds belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for her personal gain.
In a publication made on the 8th day of August 2017, by the 1st and 2nd Defendants, titled “Unbelievable!!! EFCC traces N47.2 Billion, $ 487.5 Million to ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke”, the 1st and 2nd Defendants falsely and maliciously wrote, authored and or/caused to be written, authored, or published to the whole world at large through the 1st Defendant’s online platform, a false and incidious story to: https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/2706-diezani-alison-madueke-what-an-appetite wherin they falsely and maliciously described the Claimant thus: “It seems Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, until recently, Minister of Petroleum Resources, going by the sheer amount of her acquisition of gold and diamonds, may have been fighting a spirited war against millions of compatriots who are heavily and unevenly yoked by crass poverty. To boot, the former minister is accused of having stolen – in broad daylight – the money that funded her acquisitive binge. A search of one of Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s palatial residences in Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) turned up boxes of gold, silver and diamond jewelry, worth several million pounds sterling”.
In yet another publication, made on the 24th day of January, 2022, titled, “Again, court orders arrest of ex-petroleum minister, Diezani, over corruption charges”, the 1st and 2nd Defendants falsely and maliciously relying on the false information supplied to court wrote, authored, published and/or caused to be written, authored and published to the whole world at large through its online media and prints to wit: https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/7641-court-issues-fresh-arrest-warrant-against-diezani, certain material wherein they falsely and maliciously described the Claimant as a common criminal facing multiple charges of money laundering before Federal courts in Lagos and Abuja and believed to be in the United Kingdom where she is also being allegedly investigated for money laundering.
The Claimant shall at the trial of this suit found and rely on copies of the online printouts from https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/ of the 1st Defendant and all court judgements respectively.
The 1st and 2nd Defendants utterly unconcerned about the accuracy of the information they made available to court to erroneously rule upon, deliberately wrote and caused to be written and published the said defamatory publications through the 1st Defendant’s online platform. The reports wrongly associated the Claimant with money laundering, public funds from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of being a corrupt, dishonest, dishonourable, unscrupulous, unprincipled, debased, degenerate and decadent public officer. These false and unfounded publications made against the Claimant by the 1st and 2nd Defendants and contained on the 1st Defendant’s online defamatory publications against the Claimant, were also circulated and disseminated to the whole world on internet website pages and in various links, including but not limited to:
https://www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/501068-diezani-efcc-uncovers-additional-72-8-million-in-fidelity-bank.html?tztc=1,
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/239620-unbelievable-efcc-traces-n47-2billion-487-5million-ex-minister-diezani-alison-madueke.html?tztc=1,
https://nationaldailyng.com/153-3m-forfeiture-1-3bn-malabu-deal-diezani-challenges-efcc-to-prove-allegations/.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/507545-again-court-orders-arrest-of-ex-petroleum-minister-diezani-over-corruption-charges.html?tztc=1
https://www.google.com/search?q=%E2%80%9DDiezani+Alison+Madueke+indicted+by+Italian+Prosecutors+for+sharing+in+the+Loot+the+%241.3bn+OPL+245+oil+block+deal+that+involved+Malabu+and+the+Joint+Venture+Multinational+partners%2C+ENI+(AGIP)+and+Royal+Dutch+Shell%E2%80%9D%2C&oq=%E2%80%9DDiezani+Alison+Madueke+indicted+by+Italian+Prosecutors+for+sharing+in+the+Loot+the+%241.3bn+OPL+245+oil+block+deal+that+involved+Malabu+and+the+Joint+Venture+Multinational+partners%2C+ENI+(AGIP)+and+Royal+Dutch+Shell%E2%80%9D%2C&aqs=chrome..69i57.1327j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
https://thenationonlineng.net/153m-efcc-uncovers-diezanis-hidden-estate
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/251548-alison-madueke-used-fictitious-persons-acquire-multi-billion-naira-assets-efcc.html?tztc=1.
https://saharareporters.com/2017/01/08/153m-efcc-uncovers-diezani%E2%80%99s-hidden-multi-billion-estate-yenegoa.
https://thenationonlineng.net/.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-recovers-over-53m-profits-obtained-corruption-nigerian-oil-industry
https://www.google.com/search?q=channels+tv+on+diezani+justice+department+us&sxsrf=APwXEdcF6XlagC1SvVOEtFUudqIRpfq3KA%3A1680192632710&ei=eLQlZN7uKpiK9u8PrMq2sAc&oq=channels&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQARgAMgcIIxCwAxAnMgcIIxCwAxAnMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADMgoIABBHENYEELADSgQIQRgAUABYAGCLFWgBcAF4AIABAIgBAJIBAJgBAMgBCsABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
The above websites and more which continue to host the libelous publications in permanent form can and are being accessed and read in every part of the world through the Google search engines.
THE PUBLICATIONS AND REFERENCE TO THE CLAIMANT ARE FALSE AND CLEARLY DEFAMATORY
The publications clearly referred to the Claimant as a common looter of the national wealth and a debased and corrupt public officer. The publications are blatantly false and misleading.
The publications are not only libelous; they continue to taint and smear the goodwill, reputation, image and name of the Claimant which the Claimant has consciously and painstakingly built over the years and throughout the span of her academic, professional and political career and sojourn in Nigeria and beyond. The publications have also effectively besmirched the Claimant’s political integrity and pedigree, particularly in her capacity as a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The 1st and 2nd Defendants wrote, authored, published and/or caused to be written, authored, and published the libelous or defamatory words complained of with obvious awareness of their falsity. The 1st Defendant published the statements knowing they were false, libelous, defamatory; and/or with reckless disregard their falsity and consequential harm to the reputation of the Claimant.
MEANING OF THE PUBLICATIONS IN THEIR NATURAL AND ORDINARY MEANING
The Claimant avers that the statements are defamatory in their natural and ordinary meaning. The publications meant and were understood by reasonable members of the public to mean that:
The Claimant is not worthy of taking part in the governance of Nigeria, especially occupying high profile office of public trust.
The Claimant is of dubious and doubtful character.
The Claimant is untrustworthy, unethical and a corrupt politician who promotes the evil culture of stealing from the Federal Government of Nigeria, and of corrupt enrichment.
The Claimant lacks good background and is somebody who could not be trusted.
The Claimant lacks honour, integrity and goodwill.
The Claimant is a fugitive of dishonourable character, seeking to elude and evade the law.
The Claimant is a fraudster who deliberately refused to honour an invitation by the 1st Defendant in relation to criminal allegations of fraud levelled against her.
The Claimant lacks financial credibility and has been involved in criminal misappropriation of public funds.
The Claimant’s hard-earned reputation is questionable and tainted.
23 Alternatively, by the various publications, the Defendants have by innuendo, imputed to the Claimant an inclination and propensity to fraud and dishonesty. These are reckless, defamatory and libelous of the Claimant.
DAMAGE
24 The Claimant has no better heritage than her integrity and good character which has been wantonly smeared. They are of paramount importance to the success of her political endeavors and several achievements she has notched.
25. Upon reading the online and hard copy publications, the Claimant was gravely shocked, disturbed, embarrassed, traumatized, harassed, flustered discommoded, peeved and exasperated.
26. The publications led to several letters, sms/text messages and telephone calls from various quarters including, religious leaders, her immediate family members, loved ones, friends, associates, professional and political associates, and well-wishers of the Claimant both home and abroad.
27. Since the publications, the Claimant’s residence abroad has also been inundated with visits by of relatives and friends both home and abroad, who have expressed their shock and disappointment in her over these false publications.
28. The Defendants had the means and opportunities of verifying the truth or otherwise of the offensive publications, but failed to do so and were motivated in making the offensive publications by the desire to increase their public profile and perception, and to bring the estimation of the Claimant into contempt, odium and ridicule in the eyes of an average Nigerian.
29. The publications have greatly prejudiced and injured the Claimant and caused her reputational damage, loss of goodwill, and confidence by her political associates and professional colleagues, whom all of now shun and keep their distance from her as a common thief and corrupt public officer.
30. The callous and defamatory publications as maliciously made by the Defendants have effectively besmirched the Claimant’s professional and political integrity and pedigree with the paintbrush of shame, odium and obloquy.
THE PUBLICATIONS WERE ACTUATED BY MALICE AFORETHOUGHT
The acts of the Defendants destroyed the Claimant’s hard-earned reputation and all that she has laboured for over the decades. The acts of the Defendants were clearly accentuated by ill-will, malice aforethought and bad faith, without any justification whatsoever and howsoever.
PARTICULARS OF MALICE
The publications were made in such brazen manner that any reader who read the story readily believed the conclusiveness that she was an international criminal of frightening proportions.
Making such bizarre and false allegations against the Claimant knowing same to be untrue and without any foundation, was not only dishonest and reckless, but was also calculated to incite her numerous friends, associates, family members, admirers and followers against her.
The Defendants had the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the publications by cross-checking with the Claimant, but deliberately refused, neglected and/or failed to do so.
The defamatory words of the Defendants were actually schemed and embarked upon by the Defendants to denigrate, disgrace, embarrass, humiliate and subject her to public ridicule, odium, opprobrium and derision in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public and the society at large.
The further claim of the 1st Defendant on the 16th day of December, 2021, that it had uncovered an additional $2.5 Billion, N47.2 Million and $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank and other banks which purportedly belonged to her was actuated by ill will and malice. The 1st Defendant went as far as publishing such false information on its official website and other online platforms, thereby damaging the Claimant’s reputation which without any scintilla of proof howsoever, associated the alleged money found in Fidelity with the Claimant.
There appears not to ever be an end to the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ false claims against the Claimant, howbeit, without an iota of evidence to prove or sustain such claims. The 1st Defendant began circulating yet another falsehood when it made public through several media platforms that it had unbelievably traced a mind-boggling N47.2 Billion in cash belonging to the Claimant.
The Defendants very well knew that by the sheer space required for such an incredulous volume of cash of N47.2 Billion, only the CBN could house such humongous sum of cash. Yet they recklessly made such unfounded allegations.
She avers that the 1st Defendant should have made the videos of this N47.2 Billion cash discovery public which would have made a good viewing to the general public and further calls upon those that discovered the alleged money to tell the public where exactly the money has been since kept.
The Claimant further avers that the Defendants till date are bent on destroying her hard-earned image and reputation for no justifiable reason.
The Claimant states that the Defendants never had and still do not have any sense of remorse over the several damaging online and print media publications.
The Claimant avers that the Defendants never bothered to verify or find out from her the truthfulness or otherwise of the said publications before rushing to press with their sensational and false story.
The words complained of as published by the Defendants were utterly false and without any foundation or basis howsoever.
PARTICULARS OF FALSEHOOD AND SPECIFIC DENIAL OF FALSE ALLEGATIONS
The Claimant states that no money whatsoever to the sum of $72.8 million was ever discovered in Fidelity Bank that is associated with her, which she purportedly stole from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
The Claimant states that contrary to the ridiculous allegation made by the 1st Defendant that the sum of N47.2 Billion, $487.5 million, $2.5 Billion, $72.8 million, etc, were traced to the Claimant’s home and bank accounts are laughable as no home can house such an amount of cash except for the Central Bank of Nigeria; nor banks keep custody of such sums without alerting appropriate authorities.
The Claimant states that whilst the reasons for her being out of the country are public knowledge and are most certainly known to the 1st and 2nd Defendants, the principle of fair hearing demands that she should have been notified of any formal charges against her if truly there was a prima facie evidence, or indictment against her person, linking her with the said issues, so as to ensure that she be heard in person or that she had adequate legal representation. That was never done.
The Claimant states further that she can never forfeit what was never hers in the first place.
She does not know the basis upon which the 1st Defendant choose to say that she was the owner of certain jewelries worth $40,000,000.00, (forty million dollars) , as no evidence was provided to her before the order of forfeiture was obtained; was obtained and they have not till the time of initiating this suit, ever served her or her Counsel with the said order, or any evidence pertaining to this matter, since they obtained it; leading to her having to go to court in Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/21/2023, DIEZANI ALLISON MADUEKE V. EFCC.
She was also informed by her lawyers that the legislation under which the 1st Defendant (EFCC) obtained this order, is for situations where the funds are believed to be the proceeds of crime and the owner is not known.
The Claimant states further that if they had any evidence that the said monies were hers, then they would not /should not, have used the procedural legislation which applies only to funds of unknown ownership. If indeed they used this particular legal procedure because they did not know who owned the monies and jewelries, then how can they now be attributing the ownership to her, without disclosure of particulars and salient facts?
The Claimant also states categorically as she has always maintained, for the record that she has not stolen and would never steal money from, or defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria, or any other Government for that matter.
The Claimant is willing to respond to any charges brought against her that follow duly laid down process and procedures. However, in the 1st Defendant’s typical manner and style, it has gone to the media to attempt to prosecute their case as trial by electronic and other social and print media, rather than go through the onerous but tried and tested means of the judicial court process, which procedures demand that the Respondent be duly served with any charges and processes; all geared towards bringing her to disrepute and public odium.
In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the 1st and 2nd Defendants should publish the details of the $72.8 million and N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million, $2.5 Billion, and the alleged $40 Million worth jewelries and their lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of her alleged link to them.
The Claimant avers that the 1st and 2nd Defendants having also alleged that the said $72.8 million and other sums were traced to her account details designated with Fidelity Bank and other banks, the 1st and 2nd Defendant should also publish details of the trail of the monies, where they were transferred from to her account; details if any, with proof that she actually authorized such transactions/transfers, acting either in her private capacity, or as the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources.
The Claimant states very categorically, for the record, that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were completely outside her purview and domain, as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act. The only involvement she had in NNPC Finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribed that as Minister, she must sign or authorize certain documents or acts.
The Claimant vehemently denies the false claim by the 1st and 2nd Defendants to the effect that they had discovered the sum of $72.8 million, N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million, and $2.5 Billion respectively, which purportedly belong to the Claimant.
The Claimant further denies all the unscrupulous allegations by the 1st and 2nd Defendants alleging that the sum of N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million cash was found in her Abuja home and states that no such money or any money whatsoever was found at Abuja home or any other of her homes whatsoever; and the allegation as published by the Defendants was a complete ruse as they were disingenuously and cooked up for malicious effect.
The Claimant specifically and vehemently denies each and every allegation of fact contained in the said publications which are nothing but a figment of the imagination of the Defendants. She states emphatically that the entire story in the publications is most baseless, false, malevolent and totally bereft of any truth or foundation howsoever and without any justification for publishing same.
The Claimant states most emphatically that the damaging words, inferences, innuendos and grave non-existing allegations and conclusions made by the Defendants were invented by them solely to cause maximum damage to her high, local, national and international reputation.
The Claimant states that at all times relevant to the said publications, all the print, electronic and social media platforms had millions of readers all of whom had free and open access to the words complained of.
A large and unquantifiable number of users read and will forever continue to read the published/released words of various print, electronic and social media platforms as the stories will continue to be rendered forever, unless this honourable court orders the contrary.
The Defendants published the words complained of recklessly and had no honest belief in the truth of the said words.
After those defamatory publications by the Defendants several people, both within and outside the country, who read the publications have since called her and expressed their disappointment, saying they never knew that she was a woman of shady dubious character.
Upon the afore pleaded premises, the Claimant is entitled to general, exemplary and aggravated damages, as well as injunctive reliefs jointly and severally against the Defendants.
The Claimant shall at the hearing of this suit, found upon all the documents, videos and other relevant court processes relating to the facts pleaded herein, including, but not limited to the electronic messages twitter, facebook, linkedin, WhatsApp, other text messages, letters and e-mails, from family members, concerned relatives and associates all over the world.
Unless restrained, and ordered to publish an unreserved public apology in several online platforms and national dailies, including the Thisday, The Punch and The Sun Newspapers and a further retraction of the libelous publications, the Defendants will continue to publish defamatory statements against the Claimant.
WHEREOF the Claimant claims against the Defendants jointly and severally as follows:
A DECLARATION that the publication made on the 16th day of December, 2021, titled ”Diezani: EFCC uncovers additional $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank”, authored by the 1st Defendant under the supervision of the 2nd Defendant and widely published by the 1st and 2nd Defendants, is libelous, false, malicious, injurious and intended to lower the reputation and integrity of and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
A DECLARATION that the publication made on the 8th day of August, 2017, titled, “Unbelievable!!! EFCC traces N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million to ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke” , authored by the Defendant under the supervision of the 2nd Defendant and widely published by the 1st Defendant, is false, malicious, injurious and intended to lower the reputation and integrity of and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
A DECLARATION that the publication titled, “By virtue of an order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, Diezani Alison Madueke, had forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the sum of $40,000,000.00, (forty million dollars) only, which jewelries were found and recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the premises of the Respondent and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of the Respondent’s unlawful activities”, made by the honourable court on Monday, 24th day of January, 2022, relying on the false information made available to the court by the 1st Defendant in a court process dated and filed on the 4th day of July, 2019, and widely published in print media, online and hard copies by various media houses are libelous, false, malicious, injurious and intended to lower the reputation and integrity of and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
A DECLARATION that the publication titled “By virtue of an order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, the Prosecution Counsel to liaise with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation towards the extradition of the Defendant”, made by the honourable court on the 28th day of October, 2020, relying on the false information made available to the court by the 1st Defendant in a court process dated and filed on the 13th day of November, 2018, and widely published in the print media, online and hard copies by various media houses are libelous, false, malicious, injurious; were intended to lower the reputation and integrity of, and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
A DECLARATION that the claims and publication made by the 1st Defendant on the 16th of December, 2021, to the effect that it had uncovered an additional $72.8 Million, in Fidelity Bank, purportedly belonging to the Claimant; and widely published by the 1st Defendant in the print media, online and hard copies by various media houses are libelous, false, malicious, injurious; were intended to lower the reputation and integrity of, and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy. (http//:www.premiumtimesng.com).
A DECLARATION that the false and defamatory statement made by the 1st Defendant of and concerning the Claimant on or about 17th of February, 2022, (Channels Television https//:www.channelstv.com→video), to the effect that the Claimant should be extradited for stealing a sum of $2.5 Billion belonging to the Nigerian government, which she must account for, which was widely published by the 1st Defendant in the print media, online and hard copies by various media houses are libelous, false, malicious, injurious; were intended to lower the reputation and integrity of, and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
A DECLARATION that the false and defamatory statement made by the 1st Defendant of and concerning the Claimant on or about 8th August, 2017, (http//:www.premiutimesng.com_unbelievable!!!EFCCtracesN47.2Billion,$487.5Million…) to the effect that the Claimant has embezzled the sum of N47.2Billion belonging to the Nigerian government which was widely published by the 1st Defendant in the print media, online and hard copies by various media houses are libelous, false, malicious, injurious; were intended to lower the reputation and integrity of, and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.
AN ORDER directing the 1st and 2nd Defendants to retract the libelous publications against the Claimant, and also publish an unreserved apology in at least three (3) national newspapers, including Thisday, The Punch and The Sun Newspapers within seven (7) days from the date of judgment.
AN ORDER restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether acting by themselves, servants, agents, operatives or by whomever and howsoever from distributing or further distributing, publishing or further publishing in any form or manner, the same or similar offensive libelous materials or stories of or concerning the Claimant.
AN ORDER directing the Defendants jointly and severally to pay to the Claimant the sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (100 billion naira) only as damages for the false, injurious, malicious and libelous publications against the Claimant in the 1st Defendant’s publishing platform, and at the instance of both the 1st and the 2nd Defendants.
Cost of this suit as may be assessed by this honourable court.
ANY OTHER ORDER OR Further orders that the honourable court deems fit to make in the circumstances of this case.Dated this 26th day of May, 2023.
—————————————————————————
Prof. Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt.
Benson Igbanoi, Esq., LL. B, (Hons) BL.
Sani Abubakar, Esq., LL. B, (Hons) BL.
Lady Josephine Mike Ozekhome, LLM.
Amauche O. Onyedum (Mrs), LL. B(Hons), BL.
Godwin Iyinbor, Esq., LL. B(Hons), BL.
Richard Ebie, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Onuoha Ejieke, Esq. LL. B, (Hons) BL.
Okueyelegbe Sylvanus Maliki, Esq.,
B.sc (Econs), LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Justin Omogbemeh, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Queen-Ubokutom I. Umana, (Miss), LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Wilson A. Ibhazobe, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Jeffrey IluobeItua, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Oluchi Vivian Uche (Miss), LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Azubuike Solomon, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Osilama Mike Ozekhome, Esq., LLM, MBA, LL.B,(Hons), BL.
Ngozi T. Onyechi Ozekhome (Mrs), LLM, MSC.
Aisosa Iriangbonse Ogboro (Miss)., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Oshomha Mike Ozekhome, Esq., MBA.
Jemilat Kasim Ali, (Miss), LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Prince Damola Seriki, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Emmanuel Amadi, Esq., LL. B, (Hons) BL.
Nosa Arase, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Confidence Mbang, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Carey Thomas John, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Kamsy Izunaso, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Yusuf Amuda-Kannike, Esq., LL. B, (Hons), BL.
Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers,
(Counsel to the Claimant)
Ukwe Court,
Plot 2215, Nile Street,
Opposite Maitama Police Station,
Maitama, Abuja,
08035550444, 08022266688
Email: ozekmike@yahoo.com
ozekmike@nigerianbar.ng
08035550444, 08022266688
Email: ozekmike@yahoo.com
ozekmike@nigerianbar.ng
FOR SERVICE ON:
The 1st Defendant
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION,
Plot 301/302, Institutions and Research District, Airport Road, Jabi, Abuja.
The 2nd Defendant
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION,
Federal Ministry of Justice Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja.
About The Author
