A federal capital territory (FCT) high court, Apo, on Wednesday, adjourned till June 18, a N5 billion defamation suit, filed by Raymond Dokpesi against the minister of information and culture and attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.
Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, filed the suit on April 30, seeking N5 billion in damages from Lai Mohammed and Abubakar Malami.
He alleged that Mohammed and Malami defamed his character by the inclusion of his name on the treasury looters’ list.
At the continuation of trial, Dokpesi, while being led in evidence by Nkem Okoro, his counsel, tendered various newspaper publications to support his claim of the defamatory statement made by the minister in the press conference on March 30, 2018.
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Publications from This day, Vanguard, Daily Trust, Tribune, Leadership and Telegraph of March 31, 2018 were tendered by the claimant and admitted into exhibit.
Dopkesi also tendered a CD titled “politics today“ containing the visual content of the defamatory statement made listing him among the looters of the national Treasury.
Terhember Akpe, counsel to Mohammed, objected that the content of the CD is not known nor the maker.
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Olukayode Adeniyi, the presiding judge, ruled that since foundation was laid for the document and it was pleaded, it is admissible.
Okoro applied and was granted permission to have the content of the CD played in the open court at the next adjourned day.
Dokpesi also tendered a letter written to him by the American embassy on March 16, revolting his visa as a result of the minister’s conference listing him among the looters of the national treasury.
He also tendered a letter written on his behave to Mohammed by Mike Ozekhome titled ”demand for apology and retraction” and was admitted as exhibit.
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The judge adjourned the case until June 18, for continuation of hearing.
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