Table of Contents
- Court Decision
- Judge's Ruling
- NDLEA Argument
- Claimant's Opposition
- Adjournment
- Defamation Suit Details
A High Court in Cross River State, located in Calabar, has rejected a request from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to dismiss a N500 million defamation lawsuit filed against it by Prince Fajulugbe Adeshola Temitayo, a sales representative of Drugfield Pharmaceutical.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Bassey T. Ebuta dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the NDLEA's counsel, C. F. Iyoyo, who claimed that the lawsuit was statute-barred and therefore invalid.
The judge stated that the objection would be addressed alongside the main case once the hearing begins.
Justice Ebuta remarked, “The decision will be made at the conclusion of the hearing. If the objection is upheld, it will resolve the matter. Consequently, the case will proceed to hearing.”
The NDLEA, through its attorney, contended that the cause of action arose on October 1, 2023, and that the three-month period allowed for filing a suit against a public officer had lapsed, making the case unenforceable under the Public Officers Protection (POP) Act.
Iyoyo further asserted that the agency acted strictly within its legal authority and without malice or deceit.
In contrast, the claimant's counsel, E. E. Osim from Advocates Chambers in Calabar, challenged the objection, arguing that the POP Act does not protect public officers who operate outside their constitutional powers or violate the law.
He urged the court to dismiss the objection completely and permit the case to continue.
Following the ruling, Justice Ebuta postponed the matter to November 4, 2025, for hearing.
The lawsuit, numbered HC/305/2024, was initiated by Prince Fajulugbe, who is seeking N500 million in damages for alleged defamation of character.
The claimant accused the NDLEA of publishing a statement on October 1, 2023, that falsely labeled him as a “drug peddler,” associating his name and image with a significant drug bust under the headline: “Wanted Kingpin, Chadian, Grandpa Arrested Over London-Bound Shipment, 4 Tons of Drug.”
He claimed that the publication, which spread widely across traditional and online media channels, inflicted “severe and irreparable damage” to his personal and professional reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basis of the defamation suit filed by Prince Fajulugbe?
Prince Fajulugbe filed the defamation suit based on a publication by the NDLEA that falsely labeled him as a “drug peddler,” which he claims has caused significant harm to his reputation.
What was the NDLEA's argument regarding the lawsuit?
The NDLEA argued that the lawsuit was statute-barred as the cause of action arose on October 1, 2023, and the three-month period for filing against a public officer had expired, making the case unenforceable under the Public Officers Protection Act.
When is the next hearing scheduled for the case?
The next hearing for the case is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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