Court To Hear Tinubu’s N150bn Libel Suit Against AIT May 27

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of the Lagos State High Court yesterday fixed May 27 to hear a N150 billion libel suit filed by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, against African Independent Communication (AIT).

Bola Tinubu arriving yesterday

The court adjourned the case after counsel to AIT, Jeffery Kadiri asked for more time to file his response to the suit and other applications already filed by the former Lagos State governor Tinubu.

Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit against AIT for allegedly peddling false accusations about his personality in the documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdilion.”

According to the politician, the documentary was politically sponsored to tarnish his reputation in the eyes of the populace.

The judge had on April 1 granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the AIT from further airing the documentary, pending the determination of the libel suit.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Tinubu’s lawyer, Ayodele Adedipe, informed the court that the claimant had filed Forms 17 and 18 which had been served on the defendant.

Responding, Kadiri admitted that the defendant had received the processes but was still within the 42 days period to respond to the applications.

Kadiri noted that the defendant intended to file a counter-claim and join issues with the claimant, adding that a long adjournment was needed to ensure that all processes could get into the court’s file.

Justice Akinkugbe consequently granted his request and adjourned the matter for further direction to enable parties proceed to the stage Pre-Trial Conference where they can attempt to settle the matter without going to full trial.

Court To Hear Tinubu’s N150bn Libel Suit Against AIT May 27