From Steph Clem
An Abia State High Court sitting in Ohafia, in Ohafia Local Government Area has adjourned to 15th of December, for preliminary hearings on the suit filed by Chinedum Orji, the first son of Abia state Governor against Sun Newspapers and one Mr. Ebere Wabara.
On the 8th of April, 2014, Engr. Orji filed a suit against the Sun Publishing Ltd and Mr. Ebere Wabara, for libel.
He is claiming the sum of N5 bn, an unreserved apology to be published in the same newspaper and an order restraining the defendants and their agents from further writing, printing and publishing the said libelous matter or a similar one against his person.
Trial Judge, Justice Amanze Chioma ruled on the adjournment to enable the counsel to the claimant reply to the defendant’s preliminary application.
The court however, threw away an application by the second defendants for award of N200,000 cost for the adjournment to cover his expenses from Lagos to Ohafia, as well as for accommodation and feeding for the matter and another that was also simultaneously adjourned to the date.
Counsel to the claimant, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) during an interview, said the defence counsel served his team the application right inside the court during the last sitting which necessitated that they should reply to the application.
The leading counsel to the Defendants, Charles Enwelunta who refused to talk on the substantive matter, stated that preliminary issues in the matter will have to be dealt with first, saying “when we get to the bridge, we will cross it”.
