A Delta State High Court in Effurun has ruled against Linda Ikeji, a well-known Nigerian blogger, ordering her to pay N30million in damages for a defamatory publication against the Neo-Black Movement, NBM of Africa
The court also instructed Ikeji to cover the litigation costs amounting to N300,000 and issue a retraction in her blog and national newspapers.
The lawsuit, brought forth by the Registered Trustees of NBM of Africa, Ese Kakor, Felix Kupa, and Mayor Onyebueke, stemmed from an article published on Ikeji’s blog on October 19, 2021, where she allegedly labeled the NBM of Africa as a “dreaded cult group,” “black axe,” and a “criminal organization.” Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman deemed these tags as defamatory and emphasized the importance of verifying information before publication.
Kelvin Agbroko, counsel to the Claimants, highlighted the significance of the ruling, emphasizing that it serves as a reminder to bloggers to exercise caution when disseminating information. President of the NBM of Africa, Ese Kakor, expressed relief at the court’s decision, stressing that the organization is legally registered and does not engage in criminal activities.
He urged other bloggers to refrain from defaming individuals or organizations without verifying facts.
Story: Elizabeth Ereke