By Our Reporter
Chairman Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, has slammed N1 billion suit on The Sun newspapers for allegedly defaming his name.
In the suit filed at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja, counsel to the complainant Festus Keyamo averred that Omatseye’s character and integrity had been defamed by The Sun publication of Tuesday, 13 October, 2015, titled: “Call Omatseye to Order, Kalu Tells Tinubu…Says The Nation Embarrassment to Journalism.”
He noted that the content of the publication referred to him as an impostor, charlatan and fake personality; dubious person, mudslinger and dangerous personality; corrupt and an uncivilised.
According to him, the said publication was widely circulated and read by millions of people in the world and particularly in Nigeria where the Claimant has several associates, friends, family and professional colleagues.
He added that words set out in the newspaper had seriously injured in his character, credit, reputation and integrity and had been brought to public scandal, odium and contempt and that the claimant had suffered damages and therefore requests the court to award him N1 billion being damages for the words published concerning the Claimant which are libelous by direct reference and innuendo.
He is also asking the court to public a retraction and an unreserved apology in the newspaper and a perpetual injunction restraining The Sun Newspaper whether by itself, its agents, privies or servants from further publishing or causing to be published any libelous, injurious or defamatory words against him.
