A defamation suit filed in the Lagos State High Court against oil company co-founder Oluwatosin Odusanya was stalled on Wednesday.
The reason cited was the absence of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Duport Midstream Company Limited, Dr. Akintoye Akindele, and his lawyer.
The plaintiff and his lawyer were not present in court, but the defendant Odusanya and his lawyer Oludayo Ayeni were seated.
However, the matter was scheduled for a case management conference before Justice Folake Osin, but could not proceed due to the two's absence.
In her oral application, Ms. Ayeni prayed to the court to strike out the matter due to lack of zealous prosecution.
Judge Oshin was not willing to grant the request, but adjourned the matter to June 5.
It would be recalled that Akidele had filed a summons dated May 23, 2023 against Odusanya on charges bordering on defamation in a suit marked LD/ADR/5012/2023.
Plaintiff Akindele alleges that Odusanya, through a telephone conversation, intentionally informed Mr. Sherif Abdalla, a director of Duport Midstream Company Limited, that he (Akindele) had embezzled a sum of $25 million belonging to the company. He claimed that he had given incorrect information.
Additionally, the plaintiff acknowledged that the defendant made such a statement at the company's board of directors meeting held on January 11, 2023.
Plaintiff further states that the statements allegedly made by defendant against him are both libelous and defamatory, and on this basis asserts several remedies against defendant, including damages and injunctive relief. ing.
However, in his witness statement, Mr. Odusanya, a director and director of Duport Midstream Company Limited, asked the court to dismiss Mr. Akindele's claim at considerable cost.
According to him, the allegations are frivolous, persistent, malicious, baseless, imprudent and spur-of-the-moment, an attempt by the claimants to dig and reap gold where they have not sown. It is said that there is.
He admitted that he had several telephone conversations with Sherif Abdallah, a fellow director of the company.
However, he admitted that the conversation centered on concerns about the manner and manner in which Mr Akindele was appointed MD and CEO and was running and managing the company's affairs, which contrasted sharply with the terms of the shareholders' agreement. said.
