N1b libel suit: Ortom closes case against former Benue Speaker, Ikyange

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State today closed his case against the former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Terkimbi Ikyange in his N1 billion libel suit against the former speaker.

Governor Ortom dragged the former speaker to court for his comments in the press conference of Monday July 30, 2018.

Ikyange in the press conference accused Governor Ortom of deducting N50 million monthly from each of the 23 local government area of the state and the same amount amounted to the tune of N33 billion.

When the case resumed on Wednesday morning, counsel to the Governor, Samuel Irabor Esq, submitted that he was ready to Prosecute the case and all his witnesses were in court.

Counsel to Ikyange, Sunday Akor did not oppose Ortom’s lawyer.

Ortom’s counsel, Irabor , presented two witnesses, David Mzer and Michael Igba Ortom as first and second prosecution witnesses.

Led in evidence by Irabor, the first witness, Mr Mzer told the court that Ikyange in a press conference on Monday July 30, 2018, which was aired on Channels Television and published in print and on social media platforms accused Governor Ortom of deducting N50 million monthly from each of the 23 local government areas of the state and the same amount amounted to the tune of N33 billion.

He continued that as at July 30,2018 when Ikyange held the press conference, Mr Ikyange was no longer the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly as he was impeached on July 24,2018 and his impeachment was upheld by a Benue State High Court.

He tendered the notice of demand for retraction and apology written by S.E Irabor, votes and proceedings of the Benue State of Assembly of showing Ikyange’s impeachment as speaker on July 24,2018 and the judgement of the Benue State High Court of December 7,2018, which upheld Ikyange’s impeachment, to support his testimony.

During cross examination Mr Mzer insisted that Ikyange was not the speaker as at the time he made those comments.

Also testifying as second prosecution witness, Mr Igba told the court that the former speaker defamed and assassinated Governor Ortom’s character in his press conference of July 30,2018.

Ikyange’s counsel asked Mr Igba if he was aware that Ikyange was speaker when he made those comments against Governor Ortom, Mr Igba maintained that Ikyange was not the speaker as at July 30,2018.

After listening to the two witnesses, the trial Judge, Justice Augustine Ityoyiman adjourned the case to January 6,2021 for the former Speaker Terkimbi Ikyange to enter his defense.