Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow, has filed a defense statement in response to a libel suit brought by former Ekiti State governor, John Olukayode Fayemi, against him and Sahara Reporters Limited. The defense statement was filed at a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In a 47-paragraph defendants’ joint statement of defense in suit No: FCT/HC/CV 2062/2021, Fayemi is the claimant, and Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters Limited are the 1st and 2nd defendants. Sowore asserts that Fayemi is a thief with no reputation to protect and asks the court to dismiss the suit with substantial costs. Sowore’s counsel, Tope Temokun Esq., submitted the statement on June 10, 2024, arguing that the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria have a different perception of Fayemi than he claims.
The defendants argue that Fayemi’s reputation is tarnished and that he has no grounds to claim libel. They note that Fayemi was charged in January 2018 with financial impropriety offenses, including refusing to obey a witness summons, attempting to prevent justice, criminal contempt, and abuse of office.
Additionally, the defendants allege that Fayemi secured a N20 billion loan to build an international cargo airport in Ado Ekiti but rejected an offer from Aare Afe Babalola to contribute to the project, claiming sufficient state funds. They argue that the airport, inaugurated on October 15, 2022, remains unfinished despite Fayemi’s claims of its capabilities.
The defendants cite a statement by Mr. Niyi Adebayo, Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Budget and Economic Planning, noting that the airport lacks essential infrastructure for safe landings. They allege that the Ekiti State Government sought financial assistance from Aare Afe Babalola when banks refused additional loans.
The defendants mention a petition by concerned Ekiti citizens to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged treasury looting by Fayemi. They also reference the “Ekiti Rice Pyramid” project launched by Fayemi, arguing that funds were diverted during his tenure, preventing Ekiti State from joining other rice-producing states through the Anchor Borrowers Programme.
The defendants accuse Fayemi of diverting the London/Paris Club refund of N2.4 billion intended for the 16 Local Government Councils in Ekiti State and request that he produce the account for the refund. They also allege that Fayemi diverted a $20 million loan intended to combat COVID-19.
The defendants reference a Judicial Panel of Inquiry constituted in 2017, which indicted Fayemi for various offenses, including the diversion of substantial funds from state bonds. They argue that these allegations contradict Fayemi’s claims of uprightness and incorruptibility.
In paragraph 44, the defendants argue that the publication in question was a fair report based on public interest, contrary to Fayemi’s allegations of libel. They contend that the claimant’s history, as revealed in the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Ekiti State’s finances (2010-2014), supports the report’s accuracy.
Therefore, the defendants assert that Fayemi is not entitled to exemplary and aggravated damages, injunctive relief, or a public apology. They intend to present evidence demonstrating that Fayemi’s reputation is already tarnished by allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office during his tenure as Ekiti State governor. The defendants will also challenge the suit’s competence, citing the absence of necessary parties and the court’s lack of jurisdiction to hear the case.