Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State, on Friday, September 3, 2021, instituted a N60 billion suit against Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume at the Makurdi High Court.
The suit No. MHC/268/2021 was filed by Okon N. Efut, SAN, and four other lawyers.
Ortom is seeking 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 30th August, 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.
