A Minna High Court has thrown out a defamation lawsuit filed by a naval officer against a correspondent from the Daily Independent newspaper, citing lack of merit.
Flt. Lt. J. O. Bamisaiye, identified as NAF/4112F, had sued the Niger State correspondent, Chinwendu Nnadozie, over two reports published on April 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023. The articles were titled “Scandal Rocks Minna Airforce Base” and “Disquiet at Minna Airforce Base as Female Officer ‘Dismisses’ Junior Officer Over Alleged Failed Business Deal.”
Justice Maimuna Abubakar, who presided over the case on February 3, 2024, ruled that the lawsuit lacked merit and dismissed it. The court pointed out that Bamisaiye, through her counsel E. O. Egbonodje, had failed to substantiate the defamation claims.
Justice Abubakar explained that the plaintiff could not provide evidence that the reports contained false accusations of immoral acts and mistreatment of junior officers. Additionally, the case involving an alleged rape by Eucharia, a former girlfriend of Deekae, was also dismissed for lack of proof.
In response to the ruling, Mr. Eleleri S. Otahagwa, counsel for the defendants—Daily Independent, Chinwendu Nnadozie, and Deekae Sunday Kiaka—praised the decision, calling it “justice well served.”
