Igini Vs Imuse N5bn Libel Suit: Out-Of-Court Settlement Collapses

A plea for an out-of-court settlement in the N5 billion libel suit instituted by the former Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Akwa Ibom, Mike Igini against the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, retired Col. David Imuse has collapsed as the parties failed to agree on terms of resolution.

Igini had dragged Imuse and two others to court over a media report where the Edo APC Chairman allegedly accused the former REC of receiving bribe from Gov. Godwin Obaseki ahead of the 2020 governorship election in Edo State.

Joined in the suit are African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, publishers of the Tribune titles of Newspapers and the Sun Publishing Ltd, publishers of the Sun titles of Newspapers.

Meanwhile, Counsel to Imuse, Austin Osarenkhoe had at the last adjournment on Aug. 4 made an oral application before the presiding judge, Justice Vestee Eboreime for the out-of-court settlement.

However, on the resumed hearing on Monday, Clement Onwuwuenor (SAN), counsel to Igini, also known as the claimant told the court that an agreement could not be reached as settlement broke down due to unsatisfactory terms of resolutions brought forth by Imus, the first defendant in the case.

Consequent to the collapse of this alternative dispute resolution, counsel to the three defendants had to proceed with cross-examination of Igini, who had earlier been led on evidence and presented his exhibits at the last hearing.

Igini under the cross-examination admitted that the newspapers sought his reaction before they published, but noted that the reaction was not enough to malign his integrity.

On an application for an extension of time to file a statement of defence by the APC Chairman, Justice Eboreime ordered the first defendant to file his defence within 48 hours, having defaulted in the process.

The judge awarded a cost of N50,000 against the defendant to the claimant for defaulting the earlier order of the court on the statement of defence.

Speaking to journalists later, Igini’s Counsel, Onwuwuenor, said negotiations for the out-of-court settlement broke down because Imuse failed to offer substantial proposal, but noted, however, that his client was still open to settlement out of court.

Osarenkhoe on his own said, his client could not meet the terms of settlement given by the claimant because they were too stringent.

Osarenkhoe, however, noted that both parties were still disposed to settlement.

The case was adjourned to Nov. 15 and 16 for continuation of the hearing.

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