An Abuja High Court has awarded N100 million in damages to a federal lawmaker, Senator Yisa Braimoh, in a defamation suit instituted against the factional Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Omobunde Bob-Manuel, popularly known as "Jesus Army," and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Osilama Okuofu.
The judgment was delivered by Justice J.O. Adeyemi Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1381/2024, filed by Braimoh over allegedly defamatory statements published against him and members of his family.
The senator had sought N5 billion in damages, contending that the publications by the defendants were false, malicious and injurious to his reputation.
In his ruling, Justice Ajayi held in favour of the claimant and awarded N100 million as damages for the defamatory publications.
The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining Bob-Manuel and Okuofu from making or publishing any further defamatory statements against the lawmaker.
In addition, the court directed the defendants to retract the defamatory publications and publish unreserved apologies on the same platforms where the statements were circulated, as well as in two national newspapers.
Justice Ajayi further awarded N2 million as the cost of the action and ordered that the judgment sum would attract interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum from the date of judgment until full payment.
Reacting shortly after the judgment, Senator Braimoh expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, describing it as a victory for justice and accountability.
He said the ruling had demonstrated that individuals who engage in defamatory attacks against others would be held accountable under the law.
Braimoh added that the judgment had vindicated him and reaffirmed his confidence in the nation's judicial system.
