Joined in the suit is Beacon Newspapers, published in Jos, the state capital.
In a suit filed at Jos High Court, Jang, through his counsel, Sunday Odey, averred that Dariye had, in a newspaper interview, libelled him by calling him a serial thief, who, along with his children and business associates, had been milking the state treasury dry.
Jang is contending that in the publication, published on June 2, 2013, the defendant had said, among others that, “Jang is the most corrupt human being you are yet to know. He has used religion and I want to be quoted, Jang is very corrupt. The author of corruption starts with Jang and ends with him. In fact, Jang can be described as the House of Eli. Eli’s children were carting away offerings brought to the alter—sacred sacrifices.”
In the writ of summons, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Jos on Wednesday, Jang said the words published and circulated by the defendants touched on his integrity and were libellous, and therefore defamatory to him and his reputation as the Governor of Plateau state.
Jang, in a statement of claim, averred that the publication meant that he was not capable of leadership and grossly incompetent as the governor of Plateau State and that he had an unforgiving spirit, among others.
Jang also averred that the words in the alleged offensive publication portrayed him as not only unprepared for governance, but that he was only on a revenge mission through his negative sentiments towards people from other ethnic groups. The governor is also asking the court to direct Dariye to pay him N10bn as aggravated and general damages. The court is yet to fix the date for hearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment