At last, Governo Samuel Ortom of Benue State has dragged his former political father and Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume to Makurdi high court claiming N60 billion.
Suit No. MHC/268/2021 was filed on Friday by Okon N. Efut, SAN and four other lawyers.
Ortom is seeking N50 billion as general damages for libel and N10 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
The writ of summons was backed by 17 paragraph statement of claim.
In the statement of claim, Governor Ortom is seeking a declaration that the text of Senator Akume’s press conference on 30th August 2021, in Abuja and the reports in various national dailies is scandalous, malicious and injurious of his person.
He complained that the press conference was intended to lower his estimation before right-thinking members of the society and to expose him to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
The Governor is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by himself or through any agent, servants or privies from similar or further publication of any defamatory statement against him.
No date has been fixed for the case.
It will be recalled that the minister had accused the governor of disrespect, ineptitude and corruption during the press conference held in Abuja on Monday.
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