In a recent legal development, the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the N1 billion libel suit filed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo against The Punch newspaper and Sonala Olumhense, a syndicated columnist.
The suit was in response to an article published on January 27, 2019, with the headline:
"This is the best contribution Obasanjo can make," written by Mr. Olumhense. The court also awarded N4 million as costs, with N2 million each to the defendants.
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The article in question addressed Obasanjo's role in shaping Nigeria's history and sought to present a balanced perspective, countering what Mr. Olumhense viewed as Obasanjo's attempts to present himself as an unblemished patriot. In response, Obasanjo filed a libel suit, claiming the article to be false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation.
During the court proceedings, Obasanjo's counsel, Emmanuel Bisong Otinyia, Esq., informed the court of their decision to discontinue the suit, stating that the Claimant had chosen to forgive the Defendants.
However, the 1st Defendant's Counsel, R.O. Adakole, argued that at the stage of proceedings where pleadings had closed and a hearing had commenced, a notice of discontinuance is considered invalid. He advocated for the dismissal of the suit.
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Citing legal precedents, the court concurred with the 1st Defendant's Counsel, asserting that the appropriate action at this stage was to dismiss the suit. Consequently, the matter was dismissed, and costs of N2 million were awarded to each of the defendants.
This legal decision highlights the importance of considering the timing of a notice of discontinuance in legal proceedings. It also reaffirms the significance of freedom of expression in journalistic endeavours, while emphasising the responsibility of journalists to present balanced viewpoints.
The dismissal of the libel suit against The Punch newspaper and Sonala Olumhense signifies a significant legal outcome in the realm of media and freedom of expression.
It underscores the role of the judiciary in upholding the rights of journalists to present diverse perspectives, while also highlighting the need for responsible and balanced reporting.
This decision sets a precedent for similar cases in the future, emphasising the importance of timing and legal procedures in such matters.
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