Court Dismisses Mitee’s N1bn Libel Suit Against CDC

A Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Hon Justice Ifeanyi Wodi has dismissed N1 billion libel suit against the leadership of Kdere Community Development Committee (CDC).
The suit with number PHC/19o7/2015 was instituted by the former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Barrister Ledum Mitee against Chief Enoch Tombari Gbaraba, Festus Legbara and Olulu Sunday.
Barrister Ledum Mitee had dragged the three accused persons before the court claiming among other things a N1 billion damages for libel and N5 million cost of the litigation as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and agents from further publishing or disseminating the said words defamatory to the claimant.
In his judgment, Justice Wodi said a careful analysis of the statement of cliam did not show any case of defamation against the defendants.
The Judge similarly dismissed the counter claim by the defendants, speaking with newsmen shortly after, the Judgment the defence counsel, Donald Atogbo said he was satisfied with the judgement.
“I am also satisfied with the verdict on defendants counter-claim as the judge brought to our attention the fact that the defendants were not in the meeting where it was alleged that the defendants took the sum of N26,000,000 meant for the community.
Also speaking with newsmen, Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC) Kdere Hon. Festus Igbora said the judgement had liberated the oppressed people of K-dere.

By: John Bibor, Chioma Peters & Amina Ngoma