Libel: Court Awards N100m Damage To Prophet Omale

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has awarded N100 million against the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for publishing a news story against Prophet Emmanuel Omale of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministries International, Abuja.

Delivering judgment Tuesday, Hon Yusuf Halilu awarded the sum of N50 million as general damages to the claimant and another N50 million as aggravated damages totaling N100 million.

Justice Halilu also gave an order compelling NAN to publish a public apology to Prophet Omale in three national newspapers with online visibility.

He further ordered that such libelous publication should never ever be made against the claimant again by the News Agency of Nigeria or its associates.

Prophet Omale had on July 27, 2020 through his counsel Chief Goddy Uche SAN, instituted an action against NAN seeking N1 billion as aggravated and general damages.

The News Agency of Nigeria had on July 11, 2020 published stories that Prophet Omale laundered the sum of N500 million abroad for former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.