Osun State Government has filed a legal action before the State High Court in Osogbo against the MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, following the alleged defamatory statement against the state government by the telecoms firm
The court registrar also directed MTN to appear in court within 42 days of receiving the summons, inclusive of the day of service.
The court documents also indicated that judgment may be rendered in MTN’s absence should it neglect to appear or respond to the legal notice within the given period of time.
The Osun State Government had filed the N3billion lawsuit against MTN, citing alleged defamation.
The state government had accused MTN of publishing false information about the state.
Joined as claimant in the suit marked number HOS/99/2024, is the state Attorney General, Jimi Bada.
The claimants alleged that the telecommunications giant published false information about the state in some national newspapers.
They noted that MTN’s claim that Oodua Infraco Resources Limited is a company owned by the state government, and the government tried to collect money for right of way is not only false but damaging.
The claimants are also asking the court to declare as follows.:
“The statement published by the Defendant on 16th and 19th of August, 2024 is false, malicious, injurious and calculated to damage the image of the Claimants.
“A declaration that the statement published by the Defendant on 16th and 19th of August, 2024, has maliciously injured the Claimants.”
They also sought an order of the court, “directing the Defendant to make and/or render a public, clear, and unequivocal retraction of the said publication vide paid adverts in ten newspapers with national circulation.
“An order directing the Defendant to render and tender unreserved apologies to the Governor of Osun State for the publication of malicious/injurious falsehood published by the Defendant.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant, either by themselves, officers, agents, privies, servants or through any person or persons whosoever or through any means or channel whatsoever from publishing or further publishing, disseminating or further disseminating, broadcasting or further broadcasting any malicious/injurious material concerning or relating to the Claimants.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant either by themselves, officers, agents, privies, servants or through any person or persons whosoever or through any means or channel howsoever from making available to any third party for publication, broadcasting, disseminating, or for any other purpose whatsoever any malicious material or any other such item concerning or relating to the Claimants.
“The sum of N3,000,000,000 (Three Billion Naira) as general and aggravated and exemplary damages for the malicious/injurious falsehood published by the Defendants on 16th and 19th August 2024.
