News

N5bn Libel Suit: Court Fines Edo APC Chair Over Failure To File Defence

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2022

Hearing in the N5 billion libel suit instituted against the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Col. David Imuse, retd, by the former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa-Ibom, Mike Igini, continued on Monday following failure by the parties to settle out of court.

Also joined in the suit are African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, publishers of the Tribune titles of Newspapers and the Sun Publishing Ltd, publishers of the Sun titles of Newspapers.

Recall that Counsel to Imuse, Austin Osarenkhoe had at the last hearing of the matter, requested for an adjournment to enable his client explore an out of court settlement of the case, prompting the court to adjourn further hearing to September 26 (Monday), for continuation of hearing or report of settlement.

But Monday, Counsel to the Claimant (Igini), Clement Onwuwuenor, SAN, told the court that an agreement could not be reached as settlement broke down, adding that he was ready to go on with his client, following which the Presiding Judge, Justice Vesty Eboreimen, recalled Mike Igini to the witness box to continue with his evidence.

Consequently, Imuse’s Counsel, Austin Osarenkhoe, continued cross-examination of Igini by referring him to paragraph 22 of his witness statement on oath and asked if he stopped over at Protea Hotel in Benin on August 24, 2020 for refreshments, where he met May Agbamuche on his way to Delta State, three weeks before September 19, 2020 Edo State governorship election.

Igini who confirmed meeting Agbamuche who was his boss and who had lodged in the hotel, also agreed to another suggestion from Osarenkhoe that both the Tribune and Sun reporters called him to get his reactions to Imuse’s press conference and that his reactions to the text of the conference were published.

Similarly, when Counsel to the Sun Publishing Ltd, Chief D. O Ogbodo, asked Igini if the Sun got his reaction, and whether it was published, he said yes.

Earlier, the court, while ruling on a motion by Imuse’s Counsel seeking for extension of time to file the 2nd defendant’s statement of defence, granted him 48 hours to do so.

The court also awarded N50,000 costs against Imuse for failing to file his statement of defence on time despite the court earlier order on him to do so.

Speaking to journalists later, Igini’s Counsel, Clement Onwuwuenor, SAN, said negotiations for out-of-court settlement broke down because Imuse failed to offer substantial proposal, but however assured that his client was still open for out-of-court settlement

Related Topics:APC David Imuse Mike Igini

Up Next

Project Tracking: ICPC Recovers N2.8 bn Assets, Compels 450 Contractors Back To Sites – Commissioner

Don't Miss

Blackout As National Grid Collapses Again

Comments

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

12 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.