MAY 10TH, 2012

By Gbenga Faturoti, Correspondent, Osogbo

Ex-Chairman, Senate Appropriation Committee, and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, has slammed The Global Media Mirror Limited, publishers of National Mirror, with N1.1 billion suit, over a publication that he (Omisore) threatened to attack the convoy of the incumbent Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Joined as co-defendant in the suit is the Osun State Correspondent of the newspaper, Wale Folarin, in the writ of summons dated May 8, 2012 and signed by a Senior Registrar of the court.

Omisore, is claiming N1 billion as general damages against National Mirror and N100 million against the second defendant, Folarin.

According to him, “You (National Mirror Newspaper and Folarin) are hereby commanded that within 42 days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of Omisore.”

Omisore noted through his counsel, Kehinde Adesiyan, that National Mirror and its reporter on April 23, 2012 maliciously, willfully, falsely, recklessly and wickedly wrote, published and circulated false, malicious and most embarrassing and defamatory words quoted out of context concerning and against him.

“The Nation, another newspaper, also published the malicious and reckless defamatory remarks in its April 23, 2012 edition of its newspapers.

“In furtherance of its wicked, unjust and scandalous malignity of claimant (Omisore), the first defendant (National Mirror) further posted on the internet, inclusive of Sahara Reporter site among others, the said malicious, false and scandalous publication, thereby making it accessible to the world.

“The claimant pleads and shall rely on the National Mirror Newspaper of April 23, 2012 with the bold first page banner headline, “Omisore threatens attack on Aregbesola’s Convoy… he won’t live to tell the story-Gov”, with the story running through Page 2 of the newspaper and contain the wicked, malicious and scandalous words amongst others concerning and against claimant.”

Omisore, who declared that Folarin who wrote the story, was not physically present at his Ile-Ife residence, venue of the interview, argued that the journalist maliciously quoted him out of context in his story, thus injuring his credit, character and reputations and has brought him to public scandal, odium, contempt and ridicule.

Omisore further argued that Folarin, made no effort to contact him to verify the truth and correctness or otherwise of the offensive matters of the publication, “even after the claimant had denied making the alleged offensive statement during the interview.”