Kogi Businessman drags Sahara Reporters to court, claims N100m damages

By Friday Idachaba

Kogi-based businessman and philanthropist, Amb. Gabriel David Onoja has sued popular on-line media outfit, Sahara Reporters over alleged defamation of character.

The Sahara Reporters had in its publication of March 31, had referred to Gabriel Onoja as a business partner of the state Deputy Governor, Chief Edward David Onoja and a “front” working for the Deputy Governor’s political ambition.

The on-line publication also reported that alleged that the business man whom it referred to as “the Kogi Deputy Governor’s Business Partner” was arrested by Police over a N530 Million debt.”

But Gabriel Onoja, Chairman, PFTN Nigeria Ltd, through his counsel, Mr Salifu Oguche Usman, described the report as false and defaming particularly the good image and character of Gabriel Onoja and his business firm.

In the suit filed at Kogi State High Court in Lokoja on Wednesday, Onoja prayed the court to order the management of Sahara Reporters to retract the alleged injurious publication in their online publication.

He also prayed for an order mandating the Defendant to issue a public apology over the said publication which should be published in two National Dailies with wide circulation as well as on the website of the Defendant.

He also sought “An Order of this Honourable Court mandating the Defendant to pay the sum of N100 million only as general, aggravated and special damages.”

The payment is to atone for the damages suffered by his “reputation, business and economic interest including mental and emotional trauma thereto.”

Addressing newsmen at a press conference shortly before filing the suit, Gabriel Onoja who is also the President and chairman of Enemona Josh Foundation said there was name semblance between him and the Deputy Governor.

He said that the fact that he and the Deputy Governor were from the same Local Government Area did not mean they were related and wondered the malicious claims of Sahara Reporters.

Again, the businessman cum Philanthropist, denied ever owing Mr Olawale Olaoluwole, his business partner the sum of N530 million as alleged by the online medium (Sahara Reporters).

Onoja explained that in the course of the business pursuit of PFTN Nigeria Ltd (His company), had a business investment and financing contract with Mr Olawale Olaoluwole.

He explained that Olaoluwole invested a cummulative sum of N480 million in the coal and haulage business of PFTN Nigeria Ltd.”

“Pursuant to the agreement we entered into, my Company has been consistent in paying a monthly return on investment of N28 million to the said Mr Olawale Olaoluwole for an upward period of two years without defaulting in any material way, ” he averred. (Ends)