Dollar videos: Ganduje slams N3bn suit on newspaper

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has sued the publisher and editor-inchief of an online newspaper, Daily Nigeria, Jaafar Jaafar and claimed N3bn damages over the video clips released showing him allegedly taking bribe in dollars from a contractor.

Ganduje filed a case before a Kano High court for alleged defamation of character, slander, libel.

According to a Writ of Summons dated November 13, 2018, the defendants are expected to appear before the High Court 13 sitting in Kano within 14 days.

Ganduje, through his counsel, Nuradeen Ajagi, prayed the court to declare that “the act of publishing and circulating libelous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking the character and integrity of the plaintiff amounts to defamation of character of the plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.

“Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offenses by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libelous, injurious and wrongful.

“An order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared their libelous documents/ records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

“An order that the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience.

“An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3, 000,000,000 (Three billion naira) as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing.

“An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.”