Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), has sued a non-governmental group, the Anti-Corruption Network and its Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, for a N10bn libel.
Adoke, in the suit filed by his lawyers, including Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), and Donald Denigwe (SAN), is claiming N10bn as damages for the articles published on April 11 and 12, 2013.
In the suit filed at an Abuja High Court, the AGF faulted the two publications entitled, ‘Anti-Corruption Network reminds President Jonathan he has to fire AGF Mohammed Adoke’ and ‘Group writes Jonathan over Adoke’s abuse of power’.
He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from further publishing libelous stories about him.
In the ‘Group writes Jonathan over Adoke’s abuse of power’, publication, the defendants had “accused the AGF of gross abuse of office and called on the President to relieve the Kogi-born politician of his duties as the chief law officer of the country.”
Adoke in the suit said, “the defendants deliberately, carelessly and intentionally” authorised the publications.
The suit referred to the publication by the defendants on April 11, 2013, when the defendants cited instances of alleged abuse of office by Adoke.
Quoting the publication, it said the defendants alleged that, “Mr. Adoke in his capacity as the Attorney-General, headed the prerogative of mercy committee that recommended the recent national pardon list of Mr. President.
“How can Mr. Adoke recommend national pardon for a man that has international warrant on him, a man who admitted being guilty to six counts?
“He recommended pardon of a man who caused pains, ache and deaths to many families by the liquidation of the Bank of the North.”
The suit also stated that the defendants mentioned the plea bargaining granted a former Oceanic Bank boss, Mrs. Cecicila Ibru, as another example of Adoke’s abuse of power.
