The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has initiated legal proceedings against Reno Omokri, a prominent supporter of President Bola Tinubu, over alleged defamatory publications against him and his organization.
According to court documents filed at the Enugu High Court, Kanu is demanding a total of N60 billion in compensation from Omokri for what his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, described as "a muscular legal action" against the former presidential aide.
The lawsuit, which was filed on August 1, 2023, seeks N50 billion in general damages for defamation, including injury to reputation, emotional distress, and prejudice to ongoing judicial proceedings. An additional N10 billion is being sought as aggravated damages for what Kanu's legal team termed "malicious and reckless publication of false statements by the Defendant."
The writ of summons also requests the court to order Omokri to publish a full retraction of the alleged defamatory statements in two national newspapers and on his Twitter/X account within seven days of the court's judgment.
Furthermore, Kanu is seeking "an order directing the Defendant to publish a public apology to the Plaintiff in two national newspapers and on the Defendant's Twitter/X account, admitting to the misrepresentation of facts."
The IPOB leader has also requested a perpetual injunction restraining Omokri, his agents, privies, or assigns from further publishing or disseminating such allegedly defamatory or prejudicial statements about him without lawful justification.
Commenting on the legal action on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ejimakor wrote: "Yesterday, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu commenced a muscular legal action against RENO OMOKRI (@renoomokri), seeking a retraction, apology & damages for Omokri's highly defamatory & prejudicial publications against Mazi Kanu, IPOB & #Ndigbo. Others like Omokri should take note & be guided."
The specific content of the alleged defamatory publications was not detailed in the initial court filings made public. Neither Omokri nor his legal representatives have issued an official response to the lawsuit at the time of this report.
This legal battle adds another dimension to the ongoing controversies surrounding Kanu, who has been involved in various legal challenges since his arrest and detention by Nigerian authorities.
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