Minister of Mines and Steel Development Kayode Fayemi has sued a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Samuel Omotoso and Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media Lere Olayinka for libel.
Fayemi, a former governor, is claiming N3 billion as damages from Omotoso and Olayinka in the suit filed by his counsel, Rafiu Balogun, at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for alleged offensive statements.
The minister’s action followed the defendants’ failure to retract the libellous statements and tender a public apology as demanded by Balogun, in a November 19 letter.
The plaintiff is seeking, among others, payment of aggravated damages of N3billion (N2 billion against Olayinka, the first defendant and another N1 billion against Omotoso).
Besides, he is also seeking a retraction of the offensive statements/utterances; a public apology to be published and aired on Ekiti State Television (EKTV) and Channels Television as well as on social media.