Alleged libelous publication: Edo APC threatens legal action against newspaper

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has threatened civil and criminal lawsuit against Vanguard Media Limited, for allegedly publishing photographs of its members and tagging them thugs who engaged in shootings along Airport Road in Benin City, last Thursday.

This was contained in a letter by its solicitor, Marrin Omo-Ighekpe, dated 23 July, 2024, addressed to the Editor of the media organization and made available to journalists in Benin.

To forestall such an action, the party demanded a retraction of the story within 24 hours of receipt of the its letter with an apology.

The letter reads:

“It is our brief that our Client’s attention was drawn to the libelous, defamatory and malicious publication at page 15 of your widespread newspaper wherein you described the aforesaid faces in the publication; “as published by Vanguard Newspaper today. All of them APC thugs”.

“It is our brief that you termed the photographs of the aforesaid gentlemen as “Edo State Airport Violence faces of suspected culprits”.

“We take serious reservation to your audacious, malicious, libelous and defamatory publication which has no legal foundation, as the said publication is orchestrated to malign the image of the APC, Edo State Chapter, in the eyes of the general public as our Client had written a comprehensive petition to the office of the inspector-General of Police, in respect of the incident at the Benin Airport on the 18th of July, 2024, which said petition is subject to police investigation.

“We are of the firm view that a newspaper of your standing, ought to maintain the highest ethical standard put in place by the regulatory agencies.

“Our Client hereby demand immediate retraction of the aforesaid malicious, libelous and defamatory publication within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter and a letter of apology to our Client within a full cover space of your newspaper.”

The party said that failure to retract the story, it would leave them with no option than to institute both criminal and civil action against the newspaper.