*Claims Reputational Damage In Defamation Lawsuits Against Newscentral Africa, Naij.Com
Oando PLC (“Oando”) and its Principals have instituted legal action against two online media platforms, Newscentral Africa and Naij.Com Limited (the “Defendants”), for exemplary damages in respect of unsubstantiated defamatory statements and publications made against them.
The two separate suits, marked Suit No. LD/ADR/5566/2024 (1) Oando Plc (2) Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON and (3) Mr Godwin Omamofe Boyo v NewsCentral Africa and Suit No. LD/ADR/5567/2024 (1) Oando Plc (2) Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON v Naij.Com Media Ltd & Zainab Iwayemi, are pending before the High Court of Lagos State.
The defamatory statements published by the Defendants claimed that Oando and its Principals are shareholders and directors, respectively, of Ras Hanzir Oil Terminal Limited, an alleged oil blending plant in Malta. Oando and its Principals are also praying the Court for an interlocutory order to restrain the Defendants from further publishing libelous reports against them pending the determination of the substantive suits.
The applications state that on Sunday, 28 July 2024, TimesNow.com.ng, an online news publication medium owned by Naij.Com Limited, published an article authored by Zainab Iwayemi titled “Oando Opens Up on Importing Dirty Fuel Amid Dangote, NNPC Saga.” The article was published on TimesNow.com.ng’s website and spread through its social media pages on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and other platforms. The article also had a rider stating, “The Chief Executive of Oando [Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON] said that the country would continue importing fuel to stop Dangote monopoly.”
Oando sent a Cease and Desist letter dated 31 July 2024, stating that both the headline and rider of the initial article were inaccurate, misleading, and blatantly false, containing untruthful statements that have had a damaging effect on Oando’s business undertakings, its management, and its brand, as well as Mr. Tinubu’s reputation. Although the author amended the article, the Defendants failed to comply with the terms of the Cease and Desist letter.
The Statement of Claim filed in the suits also state that Mr. Tinubu’s reputation has been tarnished in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public, including Oando’s investors and potential investors.
At a preliminary hearing held before Hon. Justice Oyebanji, a vacation judge at the High Court of Lagos State, TBS on Monday, 26 August 2024, the Court granted leave setting down the interlocutory applications for hearing during the ongoing Court vacation and directed that the defendants be immediately put on notice of the pending interlocutory application. The two suits have been adjourned to Wednesday, 4 September 2024,
