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By Madu Obi
Lawyer to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has draged the President General of Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU) Mr. Vincent Dike to the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja claiming ₦50bn damages for alleged defamation.
In a suit number CV/1224/24, Ejiofor is challenging what he called the defamatory publications variously made by the said President General against him.
Recall that on the 4th of February, 2024, the PG had invited members of Oraifite community and the media to Oraifite Civic Center, during which he allegedly made some damaging statements against the person of Ejiofor .
According to Ejiofor, Mr. Vincent Dike made wide range of false, defamatory and highly injurious comments/remarks concerning him, adding that the publications were widely read by his professional colleagues, friends , clients, associates, religious leaders/members and family members.
He said that till date, Dike who is fully aware that the publications he made against him was false in every material respect and highly defamatory, has refused, neglected and declined to retract the offending publications, hence his resolve to challenge the grave infractions before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He is seeking, among other reliefs that:
* the court directs Mr. Vincent Dike to publish a full retraction of the utterly defamatory publication, in at least three National Dailies/Newspapers with nationwide and global circulation;
An order directing Vincent Dike to publish an express, unambiguous and unqualified apology to Bar. Ejiofor in at least three National Dailies/Newspapers with nationwide and global circulation;
An order directing Vincent Dike to forthwith publish a written undertaking not to publish any similar or further libel concerning Bar. Ejiofor;
A compensatory payment in the sum of ₦50,000,0000,000.00 (Fifty Billion Naira Only), as general damages Ejiofor suffered on account of the defamatory publications; and
* further payment of ₦100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira only) being the cost of the suit.
The suit, which is between Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. Vs Mr. Vincent Dike, was signed by Chinwe Umeche, Esq., Head of Chambers/Managing Partner in the chambers of I.C. Ejiofor (Ugochinyere Chambers).
The matter is yet to be listed for hearing.
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