By Samuel Itsede
A former Inspector General of Police and immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commsion, Dr. Solomon Arase has instituted an action for defamation against the director of the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan
The court action was instituted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the Abuja Division on 16th July, 2024 in Suit No. CV/3258/24.
In the writ of summons a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent. Dr Arase is claiming the sum N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) as damages for Libel and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant by himself, his servants, agents, employees and/or privies or otherwise from further publishing the said words, similar libel of and concerning the Claimant Dr. Solomon Arase.
The suit was filed on behalf of the former Inspector-General of Police by Prof. A. D. Badaiki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Dayo Aiyetan is accused of libellous publication in which he is alleged to have falsely and maliciously used his social media handle, X (former Twitter) and some other social media platforms to accuse Dr. Solomon Arase, of using the Nigeria Police Force to harass, intimidate and threaten him for writing a petition to the Nigeria Police Force alleging criminal defamation and cyber stalking.
The court processes instituted by Dr. Arase claims that Dayo Aiyetan’s publication was actuated by malice. Dr. Solomon Arase further prayed the Abuja High Court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Dayo Aiyetan, the sole Defendant, by himself, his servants, agents, employees and/or privies or otherwise from further publishing the said words, similar libel of and concerning the former Inspector-General of Police.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the substantive action.
