Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has instituted a N3billion suit in a Federal High Court against an online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Mr Ja’afar Ja’afar.
The governor is suing both the online newspaper and its publisher over alleged defamation of character, slander, libel over publications and release of video clips alleging that the governor was involved in bribery.
According to a Writ of Summons dated November 13, 2018, the defendants are expected to appear before the High Court 13, sitting in Kano within 14 days.
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Ganduje through his Counsel, Nuradeen Ajagi, prayed the Court to declare that, “the act of publishing and circulating libellous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amount to defamation of character of the character plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.
“Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offences by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libellous, injurious and wrongful.”
Ganduje’s counsel added that the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.
He then asked for an order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.
Daily Nigeria last month, published a story, accompanied with video clips, alleging that Governor Ganduje collected $5 million bribe from some contractors.