For refusing to apologise over an alleged false publication, a businessman, Gabriel Onoja has dragged a notable online media, Sahara Reporters before a High Court in Lokoja, demanding for N100 million damages.
Onoja, the brain behind Enemona Humanitarian Foundation and Managing Director of PFTN Nig Ltd on Wednesday confirmed the development in Lokoja. He spoke to journalists through Salifu Oguche, his counsel.
He said Sahara Reporters damaged his name through a March 31 publication, titled Kogi Deputy Governor Business partner defraud Mr. Olawole. He noted that he gave notice since 10th May, 2022 demanding Sahara Reporters to retract the publication, to which they turned deaf ears.
While pointing out that following the failure to retract the story which he noted has caused damages and affected his businesses, he is dragging Sahara Reporters to court, and has filled for damages of
N100m.
He said the publication defamed his character in the eyes of the public and negatively impacted on his businesses, explained that Sahara Reporters missed the point by mistaking his name to have a semblance with that of the Kogi State Deputy Governor.
He admitted that the Managing Director, CEO of PFTN Nig. Ltd, had a business relationship With Olawole, with an agreement to make monthly returns on investment to the tune of twenty Eight million, and has paid up as at 31st January, 2022.
He, however, lamented that in February, 2022, things took a new turn in the coal business, owing to the cost of diesel, which hampered his ability to meet up with the monthly payment. He explained that rather than using civil means as expected in the spirit of business, his partner resorted to Police harassment.
