By Nuel Suji – Embattled Senator Dino Melaye on Thursday instituted a N5billion libel suit against the Saharareporters Media organization and their sponsors for allegedly maligning his reputation with allegations of forgery of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Bachelors degree certificate.
With the filling of legal action, the planned investigation by Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges may be put on hold because the Senate rules forbids discussion on matters in court.
Also, up till the time of filling this report, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) yet to make any official statement on the matter.
Melaye, in the suit filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, demanded N5b as compensation for damages done to his reputation in the alleged libelous publication of the Sahara Reporters media outfit.
Melaye is also demanding for another sum of N10m as cost for the court action.
The plaintiff, in the suit obtained by our correspondent claimed that he has been exposed to ridicule, odium and his reputation brought down in the eyes of the people by the libelous publication of the online media outfit that he did not graduate from ABU, prayed for an order of the Abuja High Court restraining the media outfit, its agents, servants and privies from further publishing the word being complained against.
Court is yet to fix date on the matter.
Defendants in the suit are: The Incorporated Trustees of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Omoyele Sowore, Temitope Olumuyide and Sahara Reporters Media Group Incorporation as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
In the statement of claim, the plaintiff said he is a highly visible politician known in Nigeria and globally and he ranks high among well-known public office holders currently in Nigeria having served in several capacities especially as a member of the Lower and Upper Chambers of the National Assembly.
Melaye said he has become a beacon and model to youths of the world due to the root of his political life which began from student’s unionism at the Ahmadu Bello University and that his leadership qualities have made him a role model and successfully transformed him from a youth leader into a national leader reputed for frankness, forthrightness and principled leadership.
The plaintiff further claimed that between March 19 and 20, 2017, the defendants falsely and maliciously wrote, posted and published a publication that he did not graduate from the ABU and that the teachers at his former Geography department allegedly informed the defendants that he did not graduate but bribed the Head of Department (HOD) to have his way.
