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Tinubu, Dokpesi Settle N150 Billion Libel Suit Out Of Court

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo
06 February 2016   |   3:45 am
THE national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has agreed to accept the apology of the Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and settle out of court with him in a libel suit he filed against Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT). Tinubu took the decision to…

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THE national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has agreed to accept the apology of the Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and settle out of court with him in a libel suit he filed against Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT).

Tinubu took the decision to accept Dokpesi’s apology as settlement for the libelous documentary, “Lion of Bourdilon”, aired on Television (AIT) before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday.

Tinubu had on March 1, 2015 instituted a N150 billion suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the said documentary, alleging that it was aimed at tarnishing his image.

At the hearing of the matter yesterday, counsel to Dokpesi, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told the court that his client wished to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution.

“My lord, we have come to court today to embrace ADR. Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable. Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which My Honourable Lord has been furnished with.

“We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the devil away with a spiritual Koboko,” Ozekhome told the court.
   
In his response, Tinubu’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) told court of his client’s willingness to settle out of court.

Olanipekun said: “I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the terms of settlement, which was drawn up on January 29, this year, has been accepted by both parties.

“I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the duration of the suit. I also appreciate the Claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court.”
 
After listening to their submissions, the presiding judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe in her ruling adopted the terms of settlement and acknowledged that it has been filed before the court and duly signed by both counsel.

The terms of agreement includes a retraction of the broadcast by AIT; an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT; and that the Claimant and the Defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.

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