N20b libel suit: Obasanjo refuses to testify in court
Category: Nigerian National News
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declined to testify in a
case brought against him by a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) in the Southwest, Buruji Kashamu.
Instead, the former President has picked PDP’s former National
Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha to testify on his behalf when trial opens
in the case.
Kashamu had sued Obasnajo for alleged defamation of character over his (Obasanjo’s) claim in a letter
to President Goodluck Jonathan and the immediate past PDP National
Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur that Kashamu was a fugitive wanted in the
United States.
The suit is before Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Yesterday, Obansajo’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole told the court that
Obasanjo has chosen not to testify in person, but will call one witness.
He pointed to Chief Mustapha, who was also seated in the court.
Oyewole, who told the court that his client has filed all the
necessary processes in line with the court’s earlier order, withdrew on
of the applications he filed, challenging some averments contained in
one of the plaintiffs’ affidavits.
He sought a date for hearing of all applications, including the main suit.
Plaintiff’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) did not object to Oyewole’s
decision to withdraw his application. He also agreed that a date be
fixed for hearing. He informed the court that he intends to call two
witnesses for the plaintiff.
Justice Ashi, who commended the matured manner the lawyers on both
sides handled the case, urged lawyers to learn to work harmoniously,
while still protecting the interest of their clients.
He adjourned to July 28 for the commencement of hearing.
Kashamu stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the defendant maliciously and recklessly published a letter titled, “Before it is too late,” which contained “words which he knew to be false.”
In his writ of summons, Kashamu stated that the criminal imputation
made against him by Obasanjo in his letter, has injured him (Kashamu).
He is praying the court to award in his favour, and against the
ex-President, N20 billion for the damage he has suffered as a result of
the allegation.
He also claims against the Obasanjo as follows:
*A declaration that the words complained of and published by the plaintiff against the defendant in a letter
titled: “Before it is too late,” addressed to Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan
and dated December 2, 2013, which inter-alia carried criminal imputation
against the plaintiff and published in several newspapers on December 12 is defamatory of the person of the plaintiff.
*An order awarding the sum of N20 billion only to the plaintiff against the defendants as aggravated and exemplary damages against the defendant for libel falsely and maliciously published by the defendant against the plaintiff in the said letter.
*An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his
agents, servants or privies from publishing or further publishing or
cause to be published any defamatory words against the plaintiff to any person or persons; and the sum of N100 million as cost of this action.
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