Court Fines Blogger Linda Ikeji N30m For Libel

A Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun has awarded a sum of N30 million against Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji for a libelous publication against the Neo Black Movement of Africa.

Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman, in a certified true copy of the judgement made available to newsmen, ruled that the N30 million covered the cost of general damage.

The Judge, in the judgement delivered on April 29, 2024 also awarded a sum of N300,000 being cost for litigation against the blogger.

Ikeji was also ordered to write a letter of apology to be published and circulated in her blog, Linda Ikeji blog as well as in a Daily National Newspaper within 14 days of the judgement.

The judgement further restrained Ikeji, her agent, privies and other persons howsoever described, acting for, or on her behalf from further publishing or posting other false and damaging publication against the NBM of Africa.

Recall that NBM of Africa and three others had dragged Ikeji to court over accusation of libelous publication against them and demanded for a sum of N1 billion as damages.

The lawsuit number: EHC/210/2021 had the Registered Trustees of the NBM of Africa, Chief Ese Kakor, Chief Felix Kupa and Dr Mayor Onyebueke as Claimants while Ikeji was the sole defendant in the suit.

The Claimants through their counsel, Barr. Kelvin Agbroko sought four reliefs from the court:

“A declaration that the defendant in her Online blog publication of Nov. 7, 2019 posted and published and captioned, “photo of ‘black axe’ donating Iron shelter to traffic police in Osun”.

“These viral photos showed members of the dreaded cult group NBM of Africa aka black axe donating Iron shelter to traffic police in Osun and they all looked happy amounting to libel.

“An order of the court awarding a sum of N1 billion only to the claimants being special and general damage against the defendant.

“An order directing the defendant to write a letter of apology and retraction published and given some prominence and circulation in the defendant’s Online, Linda Ikeji blog and some Newspapers in Nigeria.

“Finally, an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, her agents, privies and others from further publishing/posting any false and damaging publication against the Claimants.”

The claimants had stated that NBM of Africa is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and it was a lawful NGO as well as humanitarian and charitable entity.