Court quashes defamation suit filed by NFF leader, David against Sports Publisher, Agbo

From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, FCT, Abuja has quashed the defamation suit filed by the Head of International Competition in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Miss Ruth David against Best Choice Sports Publisher/Managing Editor,  Amaechi Agbo.

The alleged defamation case which was instituted by Ms David since December 2019 was finally laid to rest, June 25, 2024.

In the suit number CV/546/2019 filed on December 12, 2019, and presided over by Justice O. A Adeniyi averred that the claimant failed to prove her case of defamation and therefore dismissed the suit for lack of merit. 

Ruth David took Best Choice Sports Publisher/Managing Editor Amaechi Agbo to the FCT High Court, over the publications titled: *REVEALED: Ruth David Is The Nemesis Of Women Football In Nigeria* and *Unveiling The Powerful Woman In NFF Destroying Nigeria Female Football.

Speaking with journalists who were at the court to witness the judgement, the defendant’s lead counsel, Barrister Nnaemeka Eias Duhu said that the judgement was a triumph for rule of law and freedom of expression and of the press. 

He noted that the ruling has laid to rest the litigation that has lasted for five years, unless the claimant opts for an appeal. 

“The judgment of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, today the 25th day of June, 2024 which finally laid to rest Suit No. CV/546/2019 Between: Ruth David v. Amaechi Agbo is a welcome development and a big win for the rule of law, freedom of expression and of course, press freedom. 

“The Claimant did not satisfy the law and His Lordship, in his wisdom and in line with the law, agreed with the defense that the suit lacked merit.

“By this dismissal, the matter is now Res judicata, meaning that it is settled once and for all, except of course if the claimant decides to appeal the judgment” Duhu stressed. 

Reacting to the  judgement, the Publisher/Managing Editor of Best Choice Sports, Mr Amaechi Agbo said that the ruling was victory for fearless journalism and sports reportage in the country.

“This is victory for fearless sports reportage and free  journalism in Nigeria, particularly the FCT where the media have become an endangered species with regular frivolous law suits such as this.

“This judgement will rekindled my resolute determination to continue to practice my profession as is ethically and professionally permissible. This is a victory against unprovoked intimidation, reoccurring legal harassment against journalists and untamed campaign against the media,” Agbo said. 

Efforts to get the reaction of David’s counsel at the time of filing this report proved abortive.