By Our Reporter
In a twist that would certainly please disabled people in Kaduna State, the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has announced that the damages awarded him by a court in a case of defamation which he won would be given to disabled people. This was made known by the governor following the verdict delivered by a court judge, Justice M.L. Muhammed, in a case filed in 2015 by the Kaduna State governor against publishers of Union newspaper who had made false allegation about his asset declaration at the time.
The governor said he welcomed the outcome of the court process, noting that this was an indication that the freedom to publish was not a license to defame people or clothe rumour-mongering and malice as journalism.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, it was noted that Governor El-Rufai “welcomes the judgment of the court as a clear statement that the freedom to publish is not a license to defame people or clothe rumour-mongering and malice as journalism. Beyond the damages awarded and the apology ordered by the court, this judgment reaffirms the primacy of facts and appropriate verification in responsible journalism. Malam El-Rufai will be donating the N10m damages awarded by the court to the Kaduna State Disability Trust Fund.”
It was further explained that “by approaching the court and personally testifying in the case, Malam El-Rufai has demonstrated his belief in the rule of law, a stance he has taken in previous cases, securing apologies and retractions from other newspapers for libel. This informs his continued pursuit of other instances of defamation in the courts.”
The governor thanked his team of lawyers, led by A.U. Mustapha (SAN), for their diligent pursuit of the matter.
