Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has approached Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for an out-of-court settlement in a N10 billion libel suit the governor slammed against him.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Samuel Irabor revealed this at the resumed hearing of the case at the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi on Tuesday.
While stating that he was ready to call his witnesses, Irabor informed the court that Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo had informed him that he was exploring an out-of-court settlement, one of the terms of which was the retraction of the libelous publication which would be ready within a week.
Recall that the governor instituted the case in 2018 when Oshiomhole accused him of murder during an APC-sponsored press conference on July 27, 2018.
Oshiomhole said Ortom was complicit in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East local government on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a ‘very critical sermon’ against the Governor before that attack.
In the early days of the suit, Oshiomhole had filed six preliminary objections all of which were resolved in favour of the governor by the court.
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Counsel to the plaintiff further explained that it was based on the respondent’s counsel’s approach that he was applying for another date to take a look at the terms of settlement as canvassed by Oshiomhole.
On his part, Titus Akuhwa, who held brief for Oshiomole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo confirmed the submission of Ortom’s counsel.
The Presiding judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman, after listening to both parties, adjourned the case to October 29, for report on the out-of-court settlement.