Patrick Edobor Igbinovia, a renowned Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, has won a libel suit he instituted against The Guardian Newspaper since 2013.
Igbinovia who is of the Department of Sociology at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, filed a libel Suit Number B/468/13 against The Guardian at the Benin High Court for publishing a defamatory article in its editorial of Sunday, 21st April, 2013.
The newspaper had accused the professor of plagiarism −an intellectual theft at a time he was contesting the Vice Chancellorship of his University. Although, the University of Benin set up a panel to investigate the matter and cleared the Professor of any wrong doing, The Guardian stood by its story.
Joined in the suit as defendant is Abraham Ogbodo. The claimant (Igbinovia) disclosed that the newspaper refused, failed or neglected to retract the story despite a letter from his solicitor requesting a retraction of the defamatory statement.
Therefore, he requested the payment of One Billion Naira as damages and an injunction restraining “the defendants and each of them whether by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise from printing or publishing similar words “defamatory” of him”.
According to Henry Ogbodu, SAN, counsel to the claimant, Professor Igbinovia suffered damage to his reputation and considerable distress and embarrassment as a result of the libelous publication.
Although, Ogbodo, the 2nd defendant was never represented by a counsel, nor offered any defence, however, The Guardian Newspaper’s counsel, Messrs Ojonah and Izomon argued to the contrary, and urged the court to discharge and acquit his client of any offence known to law.
On 31st May, 2018, the presiding judge, Justice Edodo Eruaga, gave a judgment in favour of Igbinovia. A cost of Twenty million Naira was awarded as general damages against the “unrepentant defendants jointly”. Also an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves, servants, agents or otherwise from printing or publishing similar words Defamatory of the claimant was granted.
