Court Awards Diezani N500 Million Damages over Defamatory Documentary
A Bayelsa State High Court under trial Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro has awarded N500 million to former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, as damages for defamation against the producers and director of the documentary “Is It Your Money.”
The court’s decision comes after Mrs. Allison-Madueke dragged the defendants to court, seeking N5 billion in damages for the documentary, which she claimed had gravely injured and maligned her reputation.
According to court documents, Mrs. Allison-Madueke had filed suit no: BYHC/YHC/CV/180/2024 against the defendants, including Chude Jideonwo, Judith Audu, Eromo Egbejule, YNIIJA Limited, and Capital Film Productions Limited.
She had prayed the court for an order directing the defendants to retract the libelous publications and tender an unreserved apology to be published in three national newspapers in Nigeria, as well as a daily paper widely circulating in the United Kingdom and the United States.
In his ruling, Justice Omukoro stated that the failure of the defendants to appear in court to defend the publication of the defamatory video left him with no option but to conclude that they had no defense.
The judge noted that the defendants had “unlawfully and maliciously engaged in extrajudicial media trial and conviction of the claimant without affording her the opportunity to be heard first or tried by a Court of law.”
Justice Omukoro agreed that the social stature of Mrs. Allison-Madueke, as a former OPEC President, three-time minister, and Executive Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd, was that of a global citizen.
However, he reduced the quantum of damages awardable to her from N5 billion to N500 million, citing that the latter amount was sufficient to serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar defamatory activities.
The court’s ruling has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some hailing the decision as a victory for the former minister, while others have expressed disappointment that the defendants were not given a chance to defend themselves.
The defendants have been ordered to retract the libelous publications and tender an unreserved apology to Mrs. Allison-Madueke, in addition to paying the N500 million in damages.
