Popular Politician Slams N500m Libel Suit Against Top Nigerian Newspaper

A former Liaison Officer to President Shehu Shagari and foremost politician has dragged a top Nigerian newspaper to court for defamation.

An elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has instituted a N500 million libel suit against Sun Newspaper for alleged defamation of character.

 

Yakasai, who claimed that an article published by the paper contained disparaging falsehood against him,  joined its columnist, Mr Duro Onabule, as a co-defendant.

 

In the suit filed before Justice A.B Mohammed of the FCT High Court, the plaintiff is claiming N500 million as damages jointly from each respondents.

 

He also asked the court to award N50 million as exemplary damages and two million naira as cost of filing the suit.

 

The plaintiff also wants the court to compel the defendants to declare that the said publication was false, derogatory, malicious, defamatory and libelous to his person and reputation.

 

Yakasai said the legal action became necessary following the failure of the newspaper to retract the publication and issue an apology.

 

The defendants have been given eight days after the service of process to respond failing which judgment might be given in their absence.

 

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

 

– NAN