DAAR Communications, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi has
tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All
Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over a documentary
aired on African Independent Television (AIT) titled, “Lion of
Bourdillon”
DAAR Communications also opted for an out of court settlement in a
N150 billion libel suit filed against the company before a Lagos High
Court sitting in Ikeja.
On another hand, Asiwaju Tinubu has also accepted the
apology tendered by DAAR Communications as settlement for the
libellous documentary.
Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit before the court against
Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the documentary.
He said the money represented aggravated and exemplary damages
for the libelous documentary.
He had alleged that the documentary, which started airing on March
1, 2015, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.
DAAR communications, as defendant/claimant, also filed a counter
claim of N200 billion as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages
against the claimant.
The matter which came before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe was later
referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in December last year.
At the resumed proceedings Monday, counsel to Dokpesi, Mike
Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court of his client’s wish to embrace
alternative dispute resolution.
“My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably
on a roundtable.
“Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on
the terms of settlement which the My Lord has been furnished with.
“We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with
the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the
devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court.
Tinubu’s Counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) also informed the court of
his client’s willingness to settle out of court,
“I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned
friend. I can also confirm that the term of settlement which was drawn
up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,”
Olanipekun said.
“I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the
duration of the suit. I also appreciate the Claimant who
magnanimously agreed to settle out of court,” Olanipekun said.
The trial judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adopted the terms of
settlement as judgement of the court having acknowledged that it has
been filed before the court.
The terms of agreement adopted as judgement of the court include a
retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be
aired three times, once daily on AIT, and that the claimant and the
defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.
A copy of DAAR Communications apology letter titled, “Retraction and
Apology by DAAR communications PLC to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
Tinuby” circulated to journalists stated: “Further to the terms of
settlement in suit No: ID/196GCMW/2015 between Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu and DAAR Communications Plc filed as a result of the
broadcast of a documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdillion” and which
terms were adopted at the High Court of Lagos State on 5th February,
2016 as the judgement of the court, the defendant DAAR
Communications Plc hereby retracts and apologises to Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu as follows:
“Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is
an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity,
as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made
and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan
contributions to the progress and development of the nation in
general and Lagos State in particular.
“Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary,
it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the high
reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and
attests to.
“Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal
retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’, which
was broadcast on its television station, AIT.
“Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on
its television station, AIT.
“Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
will live long to make more enormous contributions to the
advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at
large,” the statement read.source the nation online
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