Ortom sues Buhari’s minister, Akume, N60bn for libel

Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has sued the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume for N60 billion at the Makurdi High Court.

The suit No. MHC/268/2021 was filed by Okon N. Efut, SAN and four other lawyers.

The governor 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.

NewsWireNGR recalls Akume had in a press conference asked Ortom to stop attacking President Muhammadu Buhari and immediately apologize to him.

Akume who was a former Benue State governor, also demanded that the EFCC and ICPC investigate federal allocations to Benue state.

“We call on Governor Samuel Ortom to tender an unreserved apology to President Muhammadu Buhari, for using foul language and for operating outside the set rules of engagement between the state and the Federal Government.

“We call on the EFCC and ICPC to thoroughly investigate the application of the total federal allocations to Benue State from May 29, 2015 to date.

“The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency direct the disbandment of the Livestock Guards in Benue State for their involvements in nefarious and criminal activities leading to the breach of peace and massacre of innocent citizens of Benue State,” Akume said.

Meanwhile, in an earlier response to Akume’s comment, Ortom alleged “In 2018, Akume instigated members of the state assembly to impeach me and they resisted by impeaching the then speaker”.