Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Sues Pointblank News For N10 Billion
Thursday, March 08, 2012Omoba
Following the
publication of a patently false story against her by POINTBLANK NEWS, an online
news medium, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance,
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has sued the medium for N10 billion.
The minister is
claiming the amount against POINTBLANK NEWS COMMUNICATIONS INC. and its
directors – Jackson Ude and Churchill Umoren – as general damages
for libel and the same amount as exemplary and aggravated damages for libel.
The suit is
with regard to a news story titled “Okonjo-Iweala buys N1.2 billion Abuja
mansion!” published on January 10, 2012 which, among other false
claims, alleged that the Minister purchased the “mansion” from Chief
Fabian Nworah, owner of EFAB Properties Ltd in November 2011.
In response to
a rebuttal issued by the minister’s office, POINTBLANK NEWS responded that it
had “overwhelming evidence to prove that she owns the mansion but if she
insists we are wrong she knows where to seek redress”.
Chief Nworah issued a
statement in which he denied that he or his company sold the alleged property –
No 3 Nworah Street, Off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja – or any other property to
Dr Okonjo-Iweala. He added for emphasis that the property described in the
story was in fact still available for purchase at the time the story was
published.
In the
statement signed by Chief Nworah:
“It is a fact that we have properties for sale but nonehas been sold as at today – January 11, 2012. We are still looking for buyers and we want to say categorically that we did not sell any of the houses to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala”.
In confirmation
that its intent was malicious rather than professional, POINTBLANK NEWS refused
to retract its story and in fact continued to prominently display the egregious
falsehood on its website, in defiance of all standards of professionalism and
decency.
Paul C Nwabuikwu
Senior Special
Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance
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