Defamation: Lawmaker demands N2Billion from Pilot publisher

..... gives seven days ultimatum to retract offensive publication .

By Abubakar Yusuf

House of Representatives member representing Warri federal constituency of Delta state , Chief Thomas Ereyitomi has demanded the sum of N2Billion from the publisher of Pilot Newspaper, Mr. Denis Sami for libel and defamation of his character .

In addition, Chief Ereyitomi is demanding the immediate retraction of the offensive publication with an unreserved apology within one week forthwith.

The pilot newspaper had in their news report on Monday alleged that Chief Ereyitomi among other things parades a fake certificate with which he secured his seat in the National Assembly.

But Ereyitomi in a letter through his Lawyer, Chief Robinson Ariyo to Pilot newspaper distanced himself from fake certificates insisting that all his credentials are authentic obtained from appropriate institutions.

He lamented that the publication has damaged his reputation and has brought his business and political interests to ridicule.

The Lawmaker said the publication is malicious with the result that he has been exposed to public opprobrium and insecurity, not to mention the loss of patronage and concomitant income arising therein .

Part of the letter by Ereyitomi’s lawyer reads: “That the defamatory publication was brought to the attention of our client by his colleagues, friends and family members who were utterly dismayed at the publication as our client has never been known in the respective lights painted of him .

“That the said publication in the circumstances is not justifiable but laced with imputation that our client has either committed or is in preparation of the commission of the crimes referred to which he said is capable of eroding the hard earned integrity of our client “.

“That Should the publisher fail to remedy the situation within one week, We might be constrained to explore alternative legal remedies available to our client in the circumstances”