Court dismisses libel suit filed by lawyer against Nigerian Tribune

A High Court sitting in Warri on Friday dismissed a libel suit instituted against the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc (ANN Plc), publishers of the Nigerian Tribune by a lawyerm Andrew Anibor.

Delivering judgment, Justice Onajite Kuejubola, dismissed the suit on the grounds that Anibor failed to prove the suit against ANN Plc.

Anibor had instituted the suit with number: W/203/2018 against ANN’s Plc Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Edward Dickson, and a reporter, Tunde Oyekola as defendants over an alleged publication on Aug. 20, 2012.

The alleged publication bordered on a judgment delivered by Justice M. Umukoro of a Delta High Court, Warri Judicial Division in a case with suit number: W/257/2011.

Anibor had earlier filed a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged breach of fundamental human rights which was consequently dismissed by Justice Umukoro on June 12, 2012.

However, unsatisfied by judgment, Anibor instituted a suit against the defendants, ANN Plc praying the court to award him N50 million over alleged defamation.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, Mr Femi Edema, the defence counsel said that the Judgment was in favour of his client, ANN Plc.

“The judgment is in our favour, the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of the Nigerian Tribune.

“The judgment was read in open court and the claimant who is also a lawyer was in court, sued ANN Plc for libel and N50 million in damages over alleged defamation.

”As it is now, the judgment is in favour of ANN Plc that is the end of the case,” Edema said.