A civil rights activist and member of the Buhari Media Support Group, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, has sued a blogger and US-based lawyer, Emeka Ugwuoye, over a libellous publication on Facebook.

The plaintiff, who is a volunteer in Buhari’s Support Organisation, is demanding N1bn as damages as a result of the publication, which she said did tremendous damage to her reputation.

According to her,if the defendant is not restrained, he will further publish injurious articles against her.

Onochie in the suit filed by her counsel, Festus Keyamo, at the High Court in Abuja, and obtained by journalists on Sunday, also demanded a retraction and an unreserved apology from the defendant for the words he had used with her photograph.

According to the court papers, no fewer than 163 persons have ‘Liked’ the post, while over 80 people have ‘Shared’ it with 198 ‘Comments.”

Ugwuoye had in the post entitled, “A major break in tracking of the Dubai Madams and their agents – A key Madam revealed as a socialite with apparent connections to (sic) Nigerian politicians,” published on January 21 2016, in his Due Process Advocates Facebook page, alleged that Onochie, using names like Aunty Lolly, Madam or Aunty, operates an international girls trafficking ring across the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Greece for prostitution.

The plaintiff, therefore, asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, whether by himself, agents, privies or servants from further publishing or causing to be published any libellous, injurious or defamatory words against her.

In her statement of claims, the plaintiff, who is a grandmother and a member of the All Progressives Congress, averred that the defendant falsely and maliciously described her as “an international human trafficker who belongs to a powerful network of criminal gangs and racketeers.”

While describing the allegations as false and untrue, she added that the defendant did not conduct any investigation before publishing them.

LordAdam:
Is Ms. Lauretta Onochie, not a member of the scandalous Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) that brazenly lied to Nigeria that Nigeria had been delisted from the Corruption Index put together by eminent anti-corruption agency Transparency International? A stance that I clearly put out for the irremediable shenanigan that it is in my featured thread--https://www.nairaland.com/2912264/debunking-lie-bmsg-nigeria-delisted.

Rather than pray the court to silence someone for criticism, she should make bold to dispute the claims. Only then should she take the defendant to court on counts of libel and slander.

-Lord

LordAdam:
Is Ms. Lauretta Onochie, not a member of the scandalous Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) that brazenly lied to Nigeria that Nigeria had been delisted from the Corruption Index put together by eminent anti-corruption agency Transparency International? A stance that I clearly put out for the irremediable shenanigan that it is in my featured thread--https://www.nairaland.com/2912264/debunking-lie-bmsg-nigeria-delisted.

Rather than pray the court to silence someone for criticism, she should make bold to dispute the claims. Only then should she take the defendant to court on counts of libel and slander.

-Lord

adipemcanis1:


But that is not what is in front of the courts. What is in front of the courts is the allegation made by the blogger that Ms Onochie allegedly runs a human trafficking ring....ie is involved in ''white slavery''.

So....Mr Blogger better face the music. Either he has evidence of the above....or he admits guilt. Just because Ms Onochie might have told lies does not mean someone should tell lies about her.Libel is a serious offence.

LEGALAide:

"Libel is a serious offence"?
Lol.
Under which law?
Senior Advocate of Nairaland (SAN).
Smh.
Libel is a civil wrong not an offence (crime).
Mtchewww.

adipemcanis1:


But that is not what is in front of the courts. What is in front of the courts is the allegation made by the blogger that Ms Onochie allegedly runs a human trafficking ring....ie is involved in ''white slavery''.

So....Mr Blogger better face the music. Either he has evidence of the above....or he admits guilt. Just because Ms Onochie might have told lies does not mean someone should tell lies about her.Libel is a serious offence.

catchfun:



http://www.punchng.com/buharis-aide-sues-us-based-blogger-over/

vedaxcool:


[s]Smh criticism based on lies and slander? Make unah continue liar is the second name of wailing zombies.

Some make frontpage but make no sense

Some have make sense but make no frontpage [/s]