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By Madu Obi
A security consultant and proprietor of Awka-based Blue Shield Security Company Ltd, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has dragged the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye and the Police Service Commission, PSC, to an Awka High Court, claiming N200 million over alleged defamation.
Nweke is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any defamatory matter against him, as well as urging the court to order them to publish a written apology to the plaintiff in any two national daily newspapers.
The case was filed on behalf of Nweke by his counsel, G U Monkey of Udoka Chambers, Awka.
In the writ of summons, the Registrar of the court said: " You are hereby commanded that within forty two days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of Ozo Jeff Nweke and take notice that in default of your so doing, the plaintiff may proceed there in, and judgment may be given in your absence."
According to the court Registrar, the writ is to be served within six months from the date of issuance.
In his statement of claim, Nweke said that the first defendant, the CP, through publications, intended all right thinking men in the society to believe that he is an unrepentant criminal who derives joy in breaking the law.
Part of the claim read: "The publication portrays me as a person who does nothing other than grab people's land by force, and most importantly, it portrays me as a person who evades justice and scorns the courts.
" The publication also portrays me as a mischievous man, a man without honour, a man without integrity, a double-edged sword, a man without positive reputation and a trouble maker who is not trustworthy."
"Since the publication, the people I had business with have been calling me on phone and talking to me in derogatory manner."
He also said that since the publication, his company had lost so much patronage such that people no longer engage his services.
According to him, the defendants will continue the publication of defamatory matter unless the court stops them.
The problem between Nweke and the police was traceable to the protracted land dispute between Nweke's Awka community and the neighbouring Enugwu Agidi, which had led to confrontation between police and officials of his Blue Shield Security Company which was hired to guard the disputed land.
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