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The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Wednesday, struck out defamation suit filed by President Muhammadu Buhari against DAAR Communications, operators of the African Independent Television, AIT.
Justice John Tsoho held that the court was compelled to strike out the suit because it appeared abandoned.
According to him, no representations from the parties have been entered since the matter was assigned to the court.
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“This is against the rules of court, all opportunities given to the plaintiff and the respondents to put life in the suit have failed. “The suit is hereby struck out,” Justice Tsoho said.
President Buhari had filed a legal action in 2015, challenging the documentary transmitted by the station, which allegedly aimed at defaming his character in the eyes of the public.
Mr President also averred in the suit that the video documentary aired by the television station was aimed at giving him away as a dictator and religious bigot.
He had maintained that the documentary was also shown on the state-owned Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.
DAAR Communication Plc is owned by a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PD), Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
