Ortom vs Oshiomhole: Court fixes May 14 for report on out of court settlemenBy Titus Atondu, Makurdi
A Makurdi High Court Presided over by Justice Augustine Ityonyiman on Friday adjourned to May 14, 2021, the N10 billion libel suit instituted by Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom against the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for report on the out of court settlement.
Ortom dragged Oshiomhole to court over his comments against him in an APC sponsored press conference held on July 27, 2018, wherein Oshiomhole accused him of having a hand in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East local government on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a ‘very critical sermon’ against him (the Governor).
After filing six preliminary objections to the suit and losing all, Oshiomhole approached the court for out of court settlement with Governor Samuel Ortom.
When the case came up on Friday, counsel to Oshiomhole Titus Akuha, who held the brief of Festus Jumbo told the court that though the matter was fixed for definite hearing, there is a new development on the out of court settlement earlier canvassed by Oshiomhole.
He disclosed that Oshiomhole has complied with the terms of settlement in part, what remains is a retraction of the publication in electronic media and some sundry issues.
He asked the court for another date to enable the parties resolve the outstanding issues.
Counsel to Governor Ortom, Samuel Irabor collaborated the submission of Oshiomhole’s counsel.
After listening to the submissions of both counsels, Justice Ityonyiman adjourned the suit to May 14 for report on the out of court settlement.