A High Court sitting in Benin, Edo
State, on Wednesday, awarded Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole N25m as
compensation in a libel suit the governor instituted against Doclands
Communications, publishers of News of the People magazine and its editor.
In a related development, a judge of
High Court 4, Benin, Justice Joseph Acha, ordered an official of the
Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria in the Benin Airport, Mr. Adeboye
O. F, to be remanded in prison custody for failure to meet his bail
conditions.
Oshiomhole had dragged the magazine to
court over a report that he allegedly impregnated a student of the
state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
The trial Judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwoba,
in his verdict also ordered that the defendant published a retraction
in an edition of its publication.
Justice Ikponmwoba held that evidence adduced by the governor proved that the magazine’s publication was libelous.
Justice Joseph Acha of High Court 4 in
his judgment in the case between the officials of the Edo State Board of
Internal Revenue and FAAN, Benin Airport, remanded Adeboye in prison
custody pending when he would meet his bail conditions.
Adeboye is facing trial alongside two
other FAAN officials over alleged assault and prevention of officials of
Edo BIR from enforcing payment of taxes due to the state and remittance
of same to the state government.
The said assault against Edo was said to have been committed on June 30, 2013.
The case was adjourned to November 14, 2013 for further hearing.
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