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A High Court sitting in Makurdi on Monday ordered a journalist, the publisher of Nigerian Concord, Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi to pay N5 million to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State as damages for libel.
Ortom had in July this year slammed a N10 billion suit against the publisher for defaming his character and reputation.
Justice Adam Onum described the allegation of corruption levelled against the governor as ‘trash.’
The judge therefore ordered Oluwarotimi to pay the governor N5 million damages.
He also ordered the publisher to retract the libelous publications in national newspapers, television, radio as well as social media platforms with apology and to forthwith stop further damaging publication against Ortom.
The defendant failed to appear in court and was not represented by any defence counsel.