by Kolapo Olapoju

The Sun Newspapers has been sued for N5bn by the first son of the Governor of Abia state, Theodore Orji. The complainant, Chinedu Orji, who’s an engineer, is suing the publication for calling him a terrorist.

It had been written in the newspaper about the plaintiff, that “it is not a secret affair as his terrorist activities in the state are fully documented.”

Speaking through a member of his legal team, Chief Chukwunyere Nwabuko in Umiahaia, Orji said the libellous publication was contained on page 21 of the March 10, 2014 edition of The Sun Newspapers, which is owned by a former Governor of the State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The counsel accused Orji Uzor Kalu of using his media outfit to publish malicious and libellous articles against the governor and his son, who does not hold any position in government.

The suit number of the case filled at Abia State High Court holding at Ohafia is HOH/5/2014 and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Livy Uzorukwu, will lead the council of Orji’s legal team.

The three-point claims by the plaintiff include, “The sum of N5bn as damages for libel; an unreserved apology to be published in at least three editions of the Daily Sun Newspapers; and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, servants and associates from further writing, printing and publishing of the said libellous matter or a similar one against the claimant.”

Nwabuko further said that the Presiding Judge, Justice Anthony Chioma, had already granted an order for the defendant to be served out of jurisdiction. The case is up for hearing on 22 September.

Kolapo Olapoju