The war of words and acrimony between Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state and Minister of Special Duties and Inter governmental Affairs assume a new dimension Friday as the former slammed a libel suit on the later.
The suit was filed before a Makurdi High Court.
The suit No. MHC/268/2021 was filed by Okon N. Efut, SAN and four other lawyers.
Governor Ortom is demanding N50 billion as general damages for libel and N10 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
The writ of summons was backed by a 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 August 30, 2021, in Abuja and the reports in various national dailies is scandalous, malicious and injurious to 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 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 yet.
