Bolanle V 
The Delta State High Court in Effurun has recently made a significant ruling against popular Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji, in a case brought against her by the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (NBM). The court awarded N30 million in damages to the Claimants, alongside an additional N300,000 to cover the cost of litigation. Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman, presiding over the case, also mandated Ikeji to issue a public retraction of the allegedly libelous publication on her blog and in national dailies. Moreover, Ikeji is restrained from publishing further damaging content against the Claimants.
The lawsuit was initiated after Ikeji failed to respond to a letter from the Claimants demanding a retraction and apology for an article published on her blog on October 19, 2021. The contentious publication reportedly labeled the NBM of Africa as a dreaded cult group, black axe, and criminal organization, among other defamatory terms.
In her ruling, Justice Daibo-Harriman affirmed the defamatory nature of the tags used by Ikeji in her publication. The Counsel to the Claimants, Kelvin Agbroko, emphasized the importance of verifying information before publication, noting that the NBM of Africa is a legally registered organization with no ties to cultism or criminal activities.
President of the NBM of Africa, Ese Kakor, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case, urging bloggers to exercise caution and refrain from defaming individuals or organizations. Kakor emphasized that the NBM of Africa is a legitimate organization and warned against baseless accusations that could lead to similar legal action.
The ruling serves as a reminder of the accountability bloggers and media outlets hold in ensuring the accuracy and fairness of their content, while also highlighting the legal consequences of defamation.
