N20B Libel Suit: Dopkesi Writes a Retraction & Unreserved Apologies to Tinubu Oh No! Beg BAT? for What?

 

http://thelightnews.com/n20b-libel-suit-dokpesi-begs-tinubu-issues-unreserved-apology/

Chairman Emeritus, Daar Communications, Dr Raymond Dokpesi

N20b Libel suit: Dokpesi begs Tinubu, tenders unreserved apology

Drama unfolded at the Ikeja High Court today as the Chairman of DAAR Communications, Dr. Raymond Alegho Dokpesi has begged for the forgiveness of the National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  over the N20billion libel suit he instituted following the airing on Africa Independent Television, AIT of an offensive documentary titled “Lion Of Bourdillion”
The documentary which was aired as a run up of the 2015 Presidential elections painted Tinubu in uncomplimentary colours and thus his resort to the courts to claim damages. But  in a dramatic twist, Tinubu has agreed to accept an unreserved apology from Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc and Chief Raymond Dokepsi as settlement for the libellous documentary.
Lawyer to Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun(SAN) and Dokpesi’s counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN) Friday presented the terms of settlement reached on 29 January, 2016 before the trial court Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe. The terms of agreement include among other things, a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT, which should be aired daily for a quarter. The trial court subsequently adopted the terms of settlement.

Here is the letter of retraction:
Retraction and Apology by DAAR Communications Plc to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Further to the terms of settlement in Suit No: ID/196GCMW/2015 between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Daar Communications Plc filed as a result of the broadcast of a documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’ and which terms were adopted at the High Court of Lagos State on 5th February, 2016 as the judgment of the court, the defendant, Daar. Communication Plc, hereby retract and apologies to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as follows;
1. Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an outstanding. Political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general. And Lagos State in particular.
2. Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary, it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to.
3. Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdillon’, which was broadcast on its television station, AIT.
4. Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on its television station, AIT.
5. Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will live long to make more enormous contributions to the advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at large.
Interestingly before the matter headed to court, Tinubu through a letter written by his lawyer, Tunji Abayomi had asked for a retraction from Dokpesi and AIT and threatened to go to court The letter had read in part:
You aired an hour-long documentary focussing on our client (Bola Tinubu). Clearly pre-occupied with political resentment and hatred neither warranted, necessary, proper, or justified, you published several false allegations against our client… More
disturbing is your misrepresentation that the said documentary was “sponsored” without disclosing the “sponsors”. You cannot under law hide under media freedom to maliciously injure a citizen’s reputation”.
“To affirm the right of our client against your defamatory publication, we demand that you confirm to us within 24 hours of receipt of this letter, an apology and retraction of the said publication/documentary,” the letter added.