A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 30 for hearing in the N2bn fundamental rights enforcement suit against politician and publisher, Omoyele Sowore and three others.
The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2020 was filed by a group, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), claiming to be acting for the Minister of Justice Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
Other respondents in the suit are: Kabir Akingbolu, Sahara Reporters Inc., and Vanguard Media Limited.
According to a hearing notice by the court, in respect of the case now before Justice Taiwo Taiwo, parties are to file and serve relevant processes before the hearing date.
GICN alleged, in the suit, the respondents made some libellous publications against the person of Malami, which breached his fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
In the suit filed by Barrister Edward Omaha and Barrister Aham Akano, the group is praying the court for a declaration the alleged publications by the respondents on 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 18th July, 2020 “are traumatic, damaging and defamatory to Alhajl Abubakar Malaml (SAN) and therefore tantamount to violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person, private and family life as well as Integrity.”
GICN is also urging the court to order the respondents to retract alleged libellous publications, tender an apology and pay N2 billion as damages to Malami.
The group cited the titles of some of the alleged libellous publications to include: “Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Malami, buys multi-million naira mansion for newly married son; Guests flout social distancing guidelines during lavish wedding ceremony,’ ‘Exposed: How AGF Malami granted approval to firm standing trial in court for stealing crude oil, diesel to auction goods seized from it,” among others.