A Delta -based legal practitioner, Mr. Raymond Isitor has instituted a N1billion (one billion naira) suit against one Mr. Benson Nkeki for libel and defamation.
Isitor, in a writ of summons instituted at the Delta State High Court, Owa Oyibu division, with suit number HCY/14/2025, is asking the court for a declaration that the statements made against him by the defendant, Mr. Benson Nkeki, as contained and published in his viral video on the 28th day of May, 2025 is libelous and defamatory.
The defendant, Benson Nkeki, is a self styled Chairmen of a community group, “Ahamihu Oyibu”.
In the endorsement to be submitted to the writ, Barrister Isitor avered that ; on the 28th day of May, 2025, while in his, he was inundated with calls and messages from clients, and family members all over the world and especially in Boji-Boji Owa, Delta State, about some libelous statements made by the defendant (Benson Nkeki) in an interview he granted.
Isitor stated that he watched and listened to the video were the defendant referred to him as a land grabber in a manner to reflect him as a fraudulent criminal who intimates people in order to fraudulently get their landed properties in Owa Kingdom, particularly in Owa Oyibu.
Isitor said, “The claimant and the defendant know these statements to be false and defamatory, and calculated to destroy claimant enviable reputation as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and reducing his status in public”.
According to Barrister Isitor, ” since the publication was made the clients, friends and family members have been viewing the claimant on a lesser moral and legal pedestal and this has affected the economic and social life of the claimant because of the damaging nature of the claimant unlawful actions”.
The legal practitioner, on these grounds, is urging the court for an order to direct the defendant (Benson Nkeki) to pay the sum of one billion naira as damages for defamation and libel.
Barrister Isitor is also asking the court for an order to direct the defendant (Benson Nkeki) to tender an unreserved apology to the claimant which will be published on social media, especially Facebook, two national daily newspapers and one local newspaper within Delta State.
Isitor is also paying to the court for an order of pepertual injunction restraining defendant (Benson Nkeki) his agents , servants , privies from continuing in the said publication and other publications that are injurious to the claimant.
The writ further directed that , ” You (Benson Nkeki) are hereby commanded that within eight (8) days after the service of this writ on you , inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of Raymond Isitor ESQ and take notice that in default of your so doing, the claimant may process therein and judgment may be given in your absence”.
However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter in court.
