TheNewsGuru

Tag: LAWSUIT

  • Liberian president faces $10m lawsuit at ECOWAS Court

    Liberian president faces $10m lawsuit at ECOWAS Court

    Liberian President Joseph Boakai is facing a $10m lawsuit filed before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The suit alleges his involvement in the unlawful suspension and character assassination of Liberia’s Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Ms. Emma Glassco.

    The lawsuit claims that in February, President Boakai arbitrarily suspended Glassco over alleged “financial inefficiency.”

    The Republic of Liberia is named as the sole respondent in the suit.

    Filed on Monday, March 14, 2025, and marked ECW/CCJ/APP/19/25, the lawsuit was submitted by Glassco’s legal team, led by former Chief Justice of Liberia Kabineh Ja’nneh, and attorney Sayma Cephus.

    The suit argues that Glassco’s suspension violated due process.

    Glassco further asserts that she was never investigated or found guilty by any anti-corruption agency in Liberia.

    However, she alleges that her reputation was tarnished by the suspension, which she contends was carried out without legal procedures.

    She claims that the decision portrayed her as a person lacking integrity.

    “The applicant states that the respondent has subjected her to public humiliation, harassment, and intimidation, far beyond any treasonable offense. The respondent instructed nearly all state institutions to conduct criminal investigations, attempting to incriminate her and justify the illegal suspension,” the suit reads.

    Among her demands, Glassco is seeking $10m in compensation for the emotional and psychological trauma, public humiliation, false stigmatisation, and ongoing harassment she claims to have endured.

    She also requests special damages totaling at least $175,000 to cover the unexpired portion of her four-year contract, which she argues has caused unnecessary financial hardship for her and her family.

    Glassco also seeks a declaration from the court that the respondent’s actions were illegal and in violation of Liberia’s tenure laws, which resulted in significant harm to her professional standing and psychological well-being. She is requesting at least $5m in compensation for these damages.

    Additionally, Glassco demands a public apology from President Boakai, which should be published in all major newspapers, aired on radio and television, and displayed on Liberia’s official government website.

    She asserts that this is necessary to repair the damage done to her reputation, which was unjustly tarnished by false allegations of corruption and the baseless investigations that followed.

    Glassco further seeks $250,000 in litigation costs to be paid by the respondent.

    The applicant also notes that she has twelve months remaining on her contract, which was prematurely terminated, and that her salary and allowances have been suspended.

    As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case.

  • NSA threatens lawsuit over election rigging allegation, demands apology

    NSA threatens lawsuit over election rigging allegation, demands apology

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded a retraction of election rigging allegation made against him by the chairperson of Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi.

    Aziegbemi had in a statement on Sept. 14, accused the Federal Government of planning to rig the upcoming Edo Governorship Election, using Ribadu and the Department of State Service (DSS).

    He claimed that Ribadu had released 2 million U.S Dollars to the APC governorship candidate in the election as part of the plot.

    In reaction to the allegation, Ribadu’s lawyers, Charles Musa & Co, described the allegation as “totally false” and demanded immediate retraction.

    “We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “Edo 2024: presidency’s move to interfere, manipulate guber poll using DSS, NSA uncovered.”

    “The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that, “$2 million was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies,” the letter said.

    The lawyers said the malicious and libelous statement had brought their client into public disdain and odium.

    According to them, the portrayal of their client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo, is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.

    “As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption.

    “It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts.

    “Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand a written apology to our Client  and a full retraction of the publication in its entirety.

    “We also demand a publication of the retraction in a full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers; 10 reputable and well-read online news sites; seven national and international television stations, and 10 radio channels with national and international reach,” they said.

    The lawyers also demanded payment of N10 billion as damages for reputational and other injuries.

    “Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights,” they added.

  • Platform X CEO, Elon Musk withdraws lawsuit against OpenAI

    Platform X CEO, Elon Musk withdraws lawsuit against OpenAI

    The CEO of Platform X, Elon Musk has requested a California court to withdraw his lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman.

    It would be recalled that the legal case accused OpenAI of straying from its original mission to develop artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of humanity.

    Musk’s lawyers submitted the filing to dismiss the months-old case without providing a reason for the decision.

    Musk withdrawal of the matter came just one day before the court’s hearing of the  OpenAI’s request to have the case dismissed.

    The dismissal was requested “without prejudice,” which allows Musk the option to potentially reopen the case in the future.

    Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, filed the lawsuit in late February, claiming the organization had shifted its focus from altruistic goals to profit-making ventures.

    However, OpenAI  noted that Musk had previously supported the idea of a for-profit structure and had even suggested a merger with his electric car company, Tesla.

    The dispute between Musk and OpenAI escalated earlier this week following Apple’s announcement of a partnership with OpenAI to integrate the ChatGPT chatbot into its Siri voice assistant and operating systems.

    Musk criticised the collaboration on his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), suggesting that Apple was compromising user data security.

    “Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river,” Musk posted on X.

    Despite Musk’s criticisms, investors responded positively to the news, with Apple’s stock market value reaching a record high of over $3 trillion

    In July 2023, Musk launched his own AI company, xAI, with the goal of “understanding reality.”

    By November, xAI had introduced Grok, a chatbot designed to compete with ChatGPT, featuring a touch of humor.

    The developments in Musk’s legal battles and AI ventures continue to draw significant attention as the tech industry watches closely.

  • Betta Edu threatens to drag BBC to court, demands $50 million compensation

    Betta Edu threatens to drag BBC to court, demands $50 million compensation

    The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for alleged defamation.

    She made this known via a letter signed by her counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

    In the letter, Edu demanded $50 million compensation from the media organization.

    The letter, addressed to BBC’s Abuja and London offices, claimed that the BBC had reported false information regarding the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleging that N30 billion was recovered from the suspended minister.

    In the letter titled ‘Request for immediate retraction of defamatory article published on BBC website against Dr. Betta Edu’, the lawyer expressed the harm caused to Edu’s reputation, as well as the emotional distress and suffering endured as a result of the publication.

    Edu’s lawyer claimed that BBC’s publication had caused immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish to Edu.

    The letter reads : “Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article,” the letter read.

    The letter further criticized the BBC for its article, stating that it suggested guilt on Edu’s part without allowing for the presumption of innocence.

    It accused the BBC of breaching journalistic fairness and due process by not providing Edu with an opportunity to respond to the allegations before publishing the article.

    Parts of the letter read, “First and foremost, the language used in describing our client’s purported involvement in the alleged corruption case suggests guilt without allowing for the presumption of innocence, which is fundamental in any fair and unbiased reporting.

    “The reckless manner in which the article was crafted, without providing our client with the opportunity to respond to the allegations before its wide publication, is a clear breach of journalistic fairness and due process and demonstrates a complete disregard for journalistic integrity and professionalism.

    “The headline, content, and tone of the article imply guilt on the part of our client, without any concrete evidence to substantiate such claims.

    “This is a blatant attempt to tarnish our client’s reputation and undermine her credibility which she has earned over the course of her distinguished career in both private and public life.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, our client has neither been indicted nor found culpable of any act of financial impropriety in relation to her stewardship of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry in Nigeria.

    “It is also pertinent to emphasize that neither N30 billion nor any amount whatsoever has been traced to or recovered from our client’s bank accounts nor has any proceeds of crime been traced or recovered from her to warrant the scurrilous article under reference.

    “Suffice it to say that in the aftermath of the publication of this scandalous article (which the BBC caused to be disseminated to millions of persons across the globe), our client has been inundated by calls and messages from friends, associates expressing their shock and consternation.

    “Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article.”

  • Tudun Biri: Community leaders, victims’ families reject lawsuit against FG

    Tudun Biri: Community leaders, victims’ families reject lawsuit against FG

    The Tudun Biri community has rejected a suit instituted at the Federal High Court Kaduna seeking N33 billion compensation from the Federal Government over the mistaken bomb drone attacks that left over 100 people dead and many others injured.

    The Village Head of Tudun Biri, Malam Balarabe Garba, made this known  during a thank you visit to Gov. Uba Sani,
    saying that they have learnt that some people went to court on their behalf.

    He said, ”Someone who claimed to be a villager named Dalhatu Salihu, on behalf of the people of Tudun Biri, filed a suit through a lawyer, Mukhtar Usman, at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, demanding the said sum as compensation..

    ”We are not part of this, we didn’t support this and we didn’t send anyone to go to court.

    ” We are peaceful people and we do not support taking the government to court. We are happy with the reaction of the Kaduna State and Federal Governments following the bomb incident.

    ”The Federal Government and Kaduna State Government took several measures and made promises, which we can only appreciate for their support.”

    Garba said that the community and the people directly affected by the bomb mishap have disclosed that they were not aware and did not mandate anyone to file a suit on their behalf.

    ”They, however, appealed that in addition to the various promises, they have graduates that are jobless, who should be assisted with jobs,” the village head added.

    Speaking also, leader of the Christians in Tudun Biri, Rev. Musa Saidu, appreciated the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government for the steps taken to support the people of the community over the accident.

    He said, ”We are united and we do things together. There is no way we are going to support anyone to take measures against the government that came to our assistance.

    ”The government is doing everything possible to ensure the welfare of the people of the community. On behalf of Christians in Tudun Biri, we have not mandated anyone to take the government to court.”

    On his part,  Chief Imam of Tudun Biri, Malam Hashim Ja’afaru, said they were happy with what the government was doing about the incident, and would support the government to fulfill its promises.

    He said, “We, the relatives of the people affected by the bomb incident, are here to meet with the governor of Kaduna state to express our appreciation to the state government for its support.

    “We didn’t mandate anybody to take the government to court, whoever did that is not from us, we didn’t know him and he is doing it without our permission. We urge the state government to find him and let the law take its course.”

    Responding,Sani said that several parties have made efforts to give the bomb incident religious colouration or politicize it, adding, ”but being one of the most united communities in Kaduna state, the resilient community resisted all the overtures.

    “The gap between their Church and Mosque is less than 100 meters. The idea of anyone going to court on behalf of the family of the victims is not true. The community asked us to investigate the issue and anyone found wanting would face the law.”

    Sani assured them that the state government would continue to support them, saying, ”a committee will be formed to decide on how to share the money that has been donated to them by well-meaning Nigerians.

    “We want you to bring five people from your community as members of this committee.

    “The donations would go directly to the families of those that lost their lives and those in the hospital..”

    Sani further appreciated the families of the affected victims for their resilience to resist efforts by some religious merchants who want to use the unfortunate incident to cause disharmony in the community.

  • NLC threatens strike if FG fails to withdraw lawsuit

    NLC threatens strike if FG fails to withdraw lawsuit

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to withdraw the lawsuit filed against its leaders, saying they will resume a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023  if the lawsuit is not withdrawn.

    The NLC made this known via a statement duly signed and released by the National President, Joe Ajaero and the National Secretary, Emanuel Ugboaja on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to NLC, the decision was taken during its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, vowing that it would go on a nationwide total strike any day labour leaders were summoned to court by the government.

    The union accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of allowing themselves to be used as “anti-democracy” agents.

    They demanded immediate withdrawal of the litigation by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023.

    “To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous court summon is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it,” the union said.

  • Again, Iron Mike Tyson accused of rape

    Again, Iron Mike Tyson accused of rape

    Former heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson has been accused by a woman in New York for raping her in a limousine in the early 1990s.

    The woman has filed a lawsuit against Iron Mike Tyson.

    However, the woman, who asked the court to remain anonymous, filed her complaint in early January under a temporary New York state law allowing victims of sexual assault to seek civil damages regardless of the statute of limitations.

    Tyson spent three years in jail beginning in 1992 after being found guilty of raping model Desiree Washington, who was 18 at the time.

    In a short affidavit dated December 23, 2022, the plaintiff states that she met the boxer at a nightclub “in the early 1990s,” and then followed him into his limousine, where he allegedly assaulted her before raping her.

    “As a result of Tyson’s rape, I suffered and continue to suffer from physical, psychological and emotional injury,” she said.

    She is seeking $5 million in damages.

    However, Iron Mike Tyson is yet to issue a statement concerning the allegations against him.

    Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Tyson had a turbulent childhood before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the 1980s, terrifying his opponents with his fury in the ring and phenomenal punching power.

    But after his prison sentence, he could not retain his titles.

    In a notorious 1996 matchup, Tyson bit off a piece of his opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear.

    Gripped by depression and addiction, he continued to make headlines, notably for a one-man show in which he described his life’s many ups and downs.

    He has recently launched into the cannabis industry with his own brand of marijuana products and hosts a podcast.

  • “Musk answer on Twitter’s lawsuit should be made public”- Judge

    “Musk answer on Twitter’s lawsuit should be made public”- Judge

    A judge has ruled that the answer of the South African-born American entrepreneur, Elon Musk, who was sued by Twitter’s investors, be made public by Friday evening at the latest.

     

    Musk was sued over his attempt to back out of a $44 billion deal to buy the social media company.

     

    Attorneys for Musk wanted to file a public version of their answer and counterclaims in Delaware court Wednesday. But Twitter attorneys complained that they needed more time to review and potentially redact Musk’s sealed filing, saying it refers “extensively” to internal Twitter information and data given to Musk.

     

    Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick held a quick teleconference Wednesday before agreeing with Twitter, directing that the public filing be docketed by 5 p.m. Friday. It could be filed earlier depending on when Twitter attorneys complete their review.

     

    Twitter attorneys argued that court rules require that five business days lapse before a public version of Musk’s filing is docketed.

     

    “Few cases attract as much public interest as this one, and Twitter is mindful of this court’s commitment to ensuring maximum public access to its proceedings,” Twitter attorney Kevin Shannon wrote. “Twitter has no interest in proposing any more redactions to defendants’ responsive pleading than are necessary.”

    Musk answer on Twitter's lawsuit
    Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX company

     

    Musk attorney Edward Micheletti argued that Twitter’s lawyers were misinterpreting the court rules. Musk attorneys also say there is no confidential information in Musk’s filing that should be withheld from the public.

     

    “Twitter should not be permitted to continue burying the side of the story it does not want publicly disclosed,” Micheletti wrote.

     

    Musk, the world’s richest man, agreed in April to buy Twitter and take it private, offering $54.20 a share and vowing to loosen the company’s policing of content and to root out fake accounts.

     

    Twitter shares closed Wednesday at $41, well off a 52-week high of $69.81.

     

    Musk, indicated in July that he wanted to back away from the deal, prompting Twitter to file a lawsuit to hold him to the “seller-friendly” agreement.

     

    Musk says Twitter has failed to provide him enough information about the number of fake accounts on its service. Twitter argues that Musk, CEO of electric car maker and solar energy company Tesla Inc., is deliberately trying to tank the deal because market conditions have deteriorated and the acquisition no longer serves his interests.

     

    Either Musk or Twitter would be entitled to a $1 billion breakup fee if the other party is found responsible for the agreement failing. Twitter wants more, however, and is seeking a court order of “specific performance” directing Musk to follow through with the deal.

  • BREAKING: JP Morgan wins $1.7B suit against FG in London court

    Nigeria today suffered a huge financial and legal loss as a U.S. bank, JP Morgan Chase, won a $1.7 billion lawsuit against Nigeria in a London high Court.

    The London court cleared JP Morgan of the civil suit filed against it by Nigeria over the purchase by energy majors Shell and Eni of the offshore OPL 245 oilfield in Nigeria.

    In February, the London court began hearing a lawsuit launched by Nigeria against JP Morgan Chase for its role in the disputed 2011 oilfield deal.

    The trial of the long-running case started with details of the claim by Nigeria’s lawyer, Roger Masefield.

    The American bank had faulted the allegations leveled against it by the Nigerian government in the controversial Malabu scandal.

    The Nigerian government under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and a former Nigerian Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke had claimed more than $1.7 billion from JP Morgan’s role in the controversial deal.

    The nation had alleged that the bank was “grossly negligent” in its decision to transfer funds paid by oil giants Shell and Eni into an escrow account owned by Malabu, a company controlled by a former Nigerian oil minister, Dan Etete.

     

  • Ndubuisi-Kanu: Our father will be upset over funeral lawsuit-daughter

    Ndubuisi-Kanu: Our father will be upset over funeral lawsuit-daughter

    Mrs Nnenna Abiona, the first daughter of the late ex-Military Governor of Lagos and Imo, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) said her father would be upset about the legal dispute in the family over his burial arrangements.

    Late Kanu died in Lagos on Jan. 13 at the age of 77 as a result of COVID-19 complications.

    The Kanu family, had been involved in legal wranglings at an Ikeja High Court over his funeral arrangements which will take place in Lagos, Abia and Imo between Oct. 13 and 15.

    One of the wives of the deceased, Mrs Gladys Kanu filed a lawsuit against the children of the deceased, the Nigerian Navy and her co-wife.

    The plaintiff is seeking an order of the court to direct the respondents, their agents or privies, not to threaten her and to allow her properly prepare for the burial slated for Friday, Oct. 15.

    The respondents to the suit include; Kelly Kanu, the Nigerian Navy, Simone Abiona (Nee Kanu), Andrey Joe- Ezigbo (nee Kanu), Paul Ndidiamaka Kanu and Karen Johnson (Nee Kanu).

    Others are Jeffery Kanu, Laura Kanu, Stephen Kanu and Josephine Ndubuisi-Kanu (wife).

    Introducing herself as the “Ada” (first daughter in Igbo Language) during Monday’s proceedings, Abiona said that the respondents were shocked by the lawsuit instituted by Gladys.

    She explained that her mother was the first lady during the deceased reign as the military Governor of Lagos and that her parents were divorced under native law and custom and that the union produced seven offspring.

    “All we are trying to do is that we bury our father from day one. We were brought to court, it was a shock to us. It is a great dishonour,”she said.

    Abiona said that she wanted to partake in the funeral rites of the late ex-Lagos Military Administrator as the ‘Ada’ of the family in accordance with Igbo laws and customs.

    Audrey Joe- Ezigbo, the second daughter of the deceased described the suit as a gross misrepresentation and that the family had no issue with the plaintiff partaking in the funeral rites of the deceased.

    “Our father was a very traditional man and he would have wanted the rites of his children to be accorded to them,” she said.

    Addressing the court, Mrs Gladys Ndubuisi-Kanu, the plaintiff and one of the wives of the deceased described herself as the only legal wife.

    She said her and her late spouse were still co-habiting until his passing.

    “We wedded legally in the church, I was married to him for 27-years but I was with him for 31-years,” she said.

    She said that the first son of her late husband, Mr Kelly Kanu had taken over their property in their village at Ovim, Abia.

    “My matrimonial home at Ovim was taken over by Kelly, he broke into my room and changed the locks. I no longer have the keys of my home at Ovim that I stayed with my husband for Christmas, Kelly has the keys.

    “He changed the locks and I do not have anywhere to stay at Ovim, he sent away the caretaker of our Ovim home who had lived there for 40-years,” she said.

    Gladys informed the court that one Jeffrey who she described as Kelly’s 38-year-old younger sibling who lived with her and her late spouse also broke doors in their Lagos home.

    In order to settle the ongoing dispute, Justice Christopher Balogun asked two Igbo Community leaders from Ovim in Abia to give a “step by step” explanation of the roles of some members of the Kanu family in the traditional rites.

    As at the time of filing this report (5.46pm) the family and their lawyers are in the courtroom trying to settle the dispute over the deceased’s burial arrangements.