Peter-Odili
Former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili

Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra of the Rivers State High Court has struck out the application by Dr Dakuku Peterside seeking to stop the N6billion libel suit filed against him by former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili.

Peterside, the erstwhile APC governorship candidate in the state who is now Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) even had a cost of N40,000 awarded against him by the court.

Odili’s suit is based on an allegation that Peterside, at a press conference, claimed that he (Odili) helped the incumbent governor of the state, Nyesom Wike to secure election victory at the Supreme Court. The N6 billion sum Dr Peter Odili is claiming is therefore for damages his person and reputation have suffered as a result of the allegation.

In striking out Peterside’s application, the judge ruled that his claim that the notice of the suit was served to him through a wrong address was weak. Justice Lamikana said the defendant’s served the notice were not different.

The judge has adjourned further hearing in the suit to February 23, 2017.