Oshiomhole Pleads For Out-Of-Court Settlement In Ortom’s N10bn Suit

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has pleaded for an out-of-court settlement in the N10bn libel suit filed against him by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governor has filed the suit against former Edo State Governor following his statement against him at a press conference on July 27, 2018.

Oshiomhole in his statement had accused Ortom of having hand in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East Local Government Area on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a “very critical sermon” against him (the governor).

Oshiomhole in the suit had filed six preliminary objections which the court resolved all in Ortom’s favour.

However, at the resumption of the case on Tuesday, counsel for Ortom, Samuel Irabor, submitted that he was ready to call his witnesses, but said that Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo had informed him that they have considered putting up a retraction of the publication and it would be ready within a week.

He said he was applying for another date to take a look at the terms of settlement canvassed by Oshiomhole.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman of State High Court sitting in Makurdi, after listening to both parties, adjourned the case to October 29, for a report on the out-of-court settlement.