An Ado-Ekiti High Court has ordered Western
Publishing Company Limited, publishers of
Compass Newspapers to pay N2 billion as
damages in a libel suit instituted by Ekiti State
Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi over publication by
the newspaper on Saturday, August 25, 2012
alleging that the governor was deducting N1
billion illegally from the state's local government
account.
The court also ordered the court to publish a
retraction and apologise to the governor in three
national dailies and on the Internet.
The writer of the story, Mr. Remi Koleoso, was
also joined in the suit. The governor had
through his counsel, R.O. Balogun and Co, sued
Compass newspaper for libel and sought N10
billion as damages for the publication.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, Justice
Cornelius Akintayo averred that the conduct of
the newspaper was below diligence, adding that
the governor had proved the six ingredients of
libel among which are the personality involved,
nature, mode of the publication and failure of
the defendant to show remorse.
Justice Akintayo held that the cost awarded must
be adequate to repair the pecuniary damage. He
also awarded another N50,000 as cost of the
suit and 10 percent interest rate on the imposed
fine starting from the day of judgment till the
fine is paid. Justice Akintayo said the prosecution
called three witnesses and tendered 11 exhibits
which were all admitted and marked accordingly.
The trial Judge who said the defendants called
only one witness added that the defendant also
failed to counter the claims of Governor Fayemi.
Justice Akintayo affirmed that a defendant who
did not object to documentary or witness
evidence is deemed to accept guilt.

sunnewsonline.net/news/libel-court-awards-fayemi-n2-billion-damages-from-compass

folahann: An Ado-Ekiti High Court has ordered Western
Publishing Company Limited, publishers of
Compass Newspapers to pay N2 billion as
damages in a libel suit instituted by Ekiti State
Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi over publication by
the newspaper on Saturday, August 25, 2012
alleging that the governor was deducting N1
billion illegally from the state's local government
account.
The court also ordered the court to publish a
retraction and apologise to the governor in three
national dailies and on the Internet.
The writer of the story, Mr. Remi Koleoso, was
also joined in the suit. The governor had
through his counsel, R.O. Balogun and Co, sued
Compass newspaper for libel and sought N10
billion as damages for the publication.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, Justice
Cornelius Akintayo averred that the conduct of
the newspaper was below diligence, adding that
the governor had proved the six ingredients of
libel among which are the personality involved,
nature, mode of the publication and failure of
the defendant to show remorse.
Justice Akintayo held that the cost awarded must
be adequate to repair the pecuniary damage. He
also awarded another N50,000 as cost of the
suit and 10 percent interest rate on the imposed
fine starting from the day of judgment till the
fine is paid. Justice Akintayo said the prosecution
called three witnesses and tendered 11 exhibits
which were all admitted and marked accordingly.
The trial Judge who said the defendants called
only one witness added that the defendant also
failed to counter the claims of Governor Fayemi.
Justice Akintayo affirmed that a defendant who
did not object to documentary or witness
evidence is deemed to accept guilt.

sunnewsonline.net/news/libel-court-awards-fayemi-n2-billion-damages-from-compass

Yawa don gas be dat
Na appeal sure pass

nobi naija...they won't pay

sluk:

Yawa don gas be dat
Na appeal sure pass

Yeah, I think they'll appeal. A warning to other newspaper publishing fake news.

Very Good development..... There just has to be Consequences for d Shameless Shenanigans going on in d Print/Electronic 'media' today. Pay up!!