Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has sued the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume for N60 billion at the Makurdi High Court.
According to reports, the governor is seeking N50 billion as general damages for libel and N10 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
Akume had in a press conference asked Ortom to stop attacking President Muhammadu Buhari and immediately apologize to him, also demanding that EFCC and ICPC investigate federal allocations to Benue state.
He had also called on the federal Government to direct the disbandment of the Livestock Guards in Benue State for their involvements in nefarious and criminal activities
Governor Ortom is seeking a declaration that the text of Senator Akume’s press conference on 30th August, 2021, in Abuja, and the reports in various national dailies is scandalous, malicious and injurious to his person.
He complained that the press conference was intended to lower his estimation before right-thinking members of the society and to expose him to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
The Governor is also seeking perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by himself or through any agent, servants or privies from similar or further publication of any defamatory statement against him.
No date has been fixed for the case yet.