Nigeria’s Attorney General (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), yesterday slammed a N10 billion libel suit against an NGO, the Anti-Corruption Network, and its Executive Secretary, Otunba Dino Meyale.

The suit, which is before an Abuja High Court, has suit number CV/3227/13, and is dated May 17, 2013.

According to the particulars of the case, a copy of which was obtained by News Express, besides the N10 billion for alleged libel, Adoke is claiming another N200 million as cost of litigation.

Adoke’s position will open a new vista in the country’s jurisprudence as this is the first time in the history of the country that the chief law officer of the federation is suing in his own personal capacity.

But in a swift reaction, Dino Melaye told our reporter on phone that going to court will not save the AGF, adding that it would concretise his indictment.

His words: “We are yet to be served but as soon as we are served with court processes, we will consult with our lawyers. This move by the AGF will not be an escape route for him. He has tried using the Nigerian police, but we punctured his gimmicks. Now he thinks by going to court he will intimidate us but let me assure you that legal approach or action will only indict Adoke further.”

AFG Adoke, in a statement of claims averred that his attention was drawn by his son, Habib Mohammed Bello, his senior special assistant, Prof. Peter Akper (SAN), and his colleague and friend Mr. Damien Dodo (SAN) over a publication on page 45 of the LEADERSHIP Newspaper of 12th April, 2013.

“The plaintiff avers that his attention was drawn by his son, Habib Mohammed Bello, one Prof. Peter Akper (SAN) and another colleague, Mr. Damien Dodo OFR, SAN to defamatory stories published about the plaintiff at page 45 of the LEADERSHIP Newspaper of 12th April, 2013 and another online publication by Sahara reporters on the 11th of April, 2013,” he said.

The Kogi-born politician is also asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Melaye and his Anti-Corruption Network from further publishing libelous stories about him or from further inferring in any manner whatsoever to his reputation.

The AGF said he is hurt when Melaye described him as a dishonourable person who associates himself with criminals and economic saboteurs, and that even though he (Adoke) is a top government official he is sabotaging the efforts of the federal government to tackle the menace of corruption.

Adoke has hired the services of 11 lawyers, which include four senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs), led by the chairman of the governing council of the Legal Aid Council, Chief Bolaji Atorinde (SAN).

Other senior advocates in his legal team include Donald Denigwe, Babajide Koku and Ahmed Raji based in the United Kingdom. No date is yet fixed for hearing of the suit.

Our reporter further obtained a copy of a letter written to Ahmed Raji (SAN) by the police, in which it is a reply to Raji’s latter dated April 23, 2013 asking the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct discreet investigation into the case.

The police letter signed by Commissioner of Police (X-Squad), CP Ali Amodu of Force Headquarters, Abuja, reads in part: “It is apparent from the foregoing that, the failure of Otunba Melaye and his organisation to come forward and substantiate these grave allegations is an indication that they have nothing to offer, and consequently, the law of our land should take its full course. It is therefore the advice of the IGP that your law firm can proceed to file direct criminal libel charges against Melaye and his organisation. Meanwhile, the police case file is being kept in view pending further development on this issue, please.”

•Photo shows Adoke.

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