Fayemi sues NULGE, newspaper, demands N20bn

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has dragged the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the Western Publishing Company Limited, Publishers of Compass Newspapers to an Ado Ekiti High Court for libel.

NULGE had through the newspaper published that the governor illegally deducted N1bn from LGAs fund every month.

The governor went to court following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to them to withdraw the publication.

Fayemi is demanding N10bn damages for the alleged libelous publications against him.

The governor is also demanding N10bn damages from NULGE for accusing him of illegal deduction.

The newspaper had published the story of the alleged illegal deduction based on a letter purportedly made available to it by the secretary of NULGE in the state, Mr. Victor Adebayo.

The governor is also praying the court to order the newspaper and NULGE to retract the alleged libelous publication which he said had caused an injury to his reputation.

He is also demanding a public apology to be published in at least three national newspapers, including Nigerian Compass and pasted at conspicuous notice boards at the headquarters of all the local government areas in Ekiti State.

Fayemi averred that the story of alleged illegal deduction published by the newspaper had “exposed and subjected him to unwarranted public ridicule, embarrassment and unprecedented disrepute.”