Niger court dismisses defamation case against journalist

A Minna High Court in Niger State has dismissed a case brought before it by NAF/4112F Flt. Lt. J. O. Bamisaiye over Daily Independent newspaper publications of April 1st, 2022, and January 11th, 2023, and its Niger State correspondent.

The court, presided over by Justice Maimuna Abubarkar on Monday, February 3rd, 2025, dismissed the case for want of merit.

Justice Abubarkar added that there was justification in the allegations published by Daily Independent newspaper since the plaintiff, Bamisaiye, through her counsel, E. O. Egbonodje, could not substantiate her claims.

It should be noted that the plaintiff had filed a case of libel challenging the two publications, “Scandal Rocks Minna Airforce Base” and “Disquiet at Minna Airforce Base as Female Officer ‘Dismisses’ Junior Officer Over Alleged Failed Business Deal” on April 1st, 2022, and January 11th, 2023, respectively.

In her judgment, Justice Abubarkar said, “The case is dismissed because it has no merit; there was justification in the allegations as published by Daily Independent newspaper.

“The plaintiff could not prove that there were no such allegations in the two publications of immoral acts and victimization of junior officers as contained in the publication.”

She also said that the plaintiff could not prove the case of rape against one Eucharia, a former girlfriend of Deekae, who was joined in the suit.

Commending Justice Abubarkar for the ruling, counsel to the defendants (Daily Independent newspaper, Chinwendu Nnadozie, and Deekae Sunday Kiaka), Mr. Eleleri S. Otahagwa, said, “It is justice well served.”