EFCC boss Lamorde sues Punch for N1bn

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde yesterday filed a suit against The Punch newspaper at a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly publishing a false story about him.

In the suit marked CV/23/15 which was filed on behalf of the EFCC chairman by Lagosbased lawyer, Festus Keyamo, it was alleged that the newspaper in a story titled “Alleged N1trn diversion: FG orders EFCC to probe Lamorde,” published on October, 27, 2015, was malicious to the person of Lamorde (plaintiff ).

Lamorde in his statement of claims said the alleged libelous publication by the newspaper was widely circulated and read by millions of people in the world and particularly in Nigeria where he has several associates, friends, family and professional colleagues.

He said he has suffered tremendous damage to his reputation and if the defendant is not restrained, it will further publish injurious articles against him.

He therefore demanded the sum of N1billion as damages, a retraction and unreserved apology by the newspaper for the publication.

The EFCC chairman had earlier filed a similar suit against The Sun newspaper.