Ganduje Sues Newspaper, Journalist Over Bribery Video

Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has slammed a N3 billion suit in a Federal High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Ja’afar Ja’afar, over the release of video clips alleging that the plaintiff was involved in bribery.

Counsel to Ganduje, Nuradeen Ayagi, in a writ of summons tendered before the High Court demanded the defendants to file an appearance before 14 days. The writ was dated 13 November.

Nuradeen prayed the court to declare that “the act of publishing and circulating libellous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amount to defamation of character of the plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.”

He also asked for order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libellous documents/records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff

The suit also seeks an order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and news media with global accessibility.

“Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offences by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libellous, injurious and wrongful.

“In order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libellous documents/records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

“That the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience.

“An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3, 000,000,000 (Three billion naira) as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing.

“An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility,” the suit read.