The High Court in Rivers State of Nigeria has restrained the central government from further publishing the name of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, as one the looters of the nation’s treasury.
The PDP National Chairman had filed a N1.5 billion suit against the government for defamation of his name. The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, granted the prayers sought by counsel to the PDP National Chairman by restraining the defendant from the further publication of Mr. Secondus’ name in the list of looters pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra ordered that hearing notice should be served on the defendant who was not in court and then adjourned the case to May 28.
Mr. Secondus’ counsel, Emeka Etiaba, told journalists outside the court that he was satisfied with the order and expressed optimism that at the end of the matter, Nigerians would know that the federal government and its agents lied. According to him, the defendants were absent in court yesterday perhaps because they knew that there was no truth in what they published.
Mr. Etiaba explained that his client decided to file the matter at the State High court because matters relating to libel are within the absolute jurisdiction of the state. He said they would proceed to serve the defendants hearing notice just as court processes had earlier been served. According to him, he will serve them through the newspapers as well as deposit same at the office of the Attorney-General of the federation.
