The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has adjourned till December 15, 2026, hearing on an application challenging the joinder of ThisDay Newspapers as a party to a N1 billion defamation counterclaim filed by the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Chief Lawson Omokhodion.
The case, instituted against the university’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Onimawo Akhakhia, came up on Tuesday before Justice Urho Erameh, who fixed the new date after hearing arguments from counsel on the proposed amendment of court processes and the legal basis for including the newspaper in the counterclaim.
The dispute stems from a N500 million libel suit filed by Akhakhia against Omokhodion in Suit No. B/1103/2023 over alleged defamatory statements contained in a book authored by the former Pro-Chancellor.
Akhakhia alleged that the book, “Lawson A. Omokhodion: Powered by Poverty—A Story of Adversity, Ambition, Diligence and Triumph,” particularly the chapter titled
“Brazen Corruption in the Ivory Tower,” portrayed him as a thief, corrupt and dishonest person, and a fraudster.
He contended that the alleged statements damaged his reputation, subjected him to public ridicule and caused him emotional distress.
In a counterclaim filed on April 12, 2024, Omokhodion demanded N1 billion in damages, accusing Akhakhia of defaming him in a newspaper interview published on September 16, 2020, with the headline, “Corruption: AAU VC, Council Chairman Trade Accusations.”
The former Pro-Chancellor argued that the publication contained false and malicious allegations capable of tarnishing his reputation.
He maintained that the contents of his book were accurate and empirically verifiable, while denying allegations that he bought an official vehicle for N57 million during his tenure as
chairman of the university’s Governing Council.Omokhodion is seeking N1 billion in general damages and an order directing Akhakhia and ThisDay Newspapers to publish an unreserved apology.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Akhakhia, Prof. Job Odion, told the court that his client had filed an application on October 6, 2026, seeking permission to amend his statement of claim and file a reply to Omokhodion’s counterclaim.
Counsel to Omokhodion, Chief Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), said he had no objection to the proposed amendment but expected the relevant court processes to be served on ThisDay Newspapers, which had been joined to the counterclaim.
However, Odion questioned the legal propriety of including the newspaper in the proceedings, insisting that the basis for making it a party to the counterclaim should be established.
Responding, Obamogie argued that several judicial authorities supported his client’s decision to join the newspaper in the suit.
After considering the submissions, Justice Erameh directed Akhakhia’s counsel to file a formal motion if he intended to challenge the newspaper’s status in the proceedings.
The judge stressed that the issue must be properly brought before the court for determination, noting that ThisDay Newspapers had already been joined as a party to the counterclaim.
He subsequently adjourned the matter till December 15, 2026, for the hearing of the application challenging the newspaper’s joinder.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Obamogie said his client did not oppose the application to amend the claimant’s processes, explaining that the move was intended to introduce additional facts into the case.
Odion also confirmed that Akhakhia had applied to amend his court processes, adding that the court directed that ThisDay Newspapers be served with the relevant documents.
The case had earlier experienced a setback following the death of Akhakhia’s lead counsel, Chief Henry Ogbodu (SAN).
