5th July, 2023
The Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) says it will not retract its published story against LandWey Investment Limited and dared the company to go to court.
FIJ had in its report of 30 June, 2023, alleged that LandWey had been running fraudulent real estate “ponzi scheme” designed to defraud the unsuspecting investors of their hard-earned funds.
But LandWey, through its lawyer, threatened to sue FIJ and its publisher, Fisayo Soyombo for N1 billion over libelous and unfounded publications against the company and its chief executive officer.
LandWey, in a letter dated June 30, 2023 by its legal counsel, Godwin Omoaka (SAN), said the news and tweets by FIJ and its publisher, Fisayo Soyombo, that it has been running fraudulent real estate “ponzi scheme” designed to defraud the unsuspecting investors of their hard-earned funds, while also trying to intimidate journalists and stifle the freedom of the press, were false.
However, FIJ, in a letter dated 4 July and addressed to LandWey’s legal counsel, Omoaka, said it affirmed the truth of its publications referenced in “your letter and denies the allegation that the statements published are defamatory, libellous or maliciously made.”
The letter signed by its counsel, Abimbola Ojenike, said FIJ’s publication was based on a groundswell of customer complaints regarding non-delivery of off-plan residential developments within contractually-stipulated timeframe, unlawful exploitation of consumers, unconscionable price reviews and reselling of properties previously allocated to customers to new buyers at higher value and similar unethical business practices.
“As a medium focused on investigative journalism and social justice reporting, FIJ identifies the significant public interest in exposing the unjust, exploitative and unethical business conducts based on the factual accounts of Landwey’s customers and its independent inquiry which validates the allegations against Landwey.
“Accordingly, there is no basis for liability and FIJ does not admit any liability for the sum of N1billion or any sum whatsoever. Furthermore, FIJ does not retract or apologize for factual and truthful publication otherwise the foundation of press freedom and serious public interest issues implicated in the publication would be undermined,” the letter said.
According to FIJ, “should you proceed to litigation on account of the alleged libel claim, we have our Client’s instruction to receive all originating processes on its behalf. FIJ also accepts your letter dated June 30, 2023 received via Whatsapp as due compliance with the pre-action protocol of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.”