PDP Ward Chairman Heads To Prison as Calabar High Court Commences Contempt Proceedings

By Judex OKORO

Calabar High Court has commenced contempt proceedings against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olulumo ward chairman, Mr. Onawu Onor Alobi, of Ikom local government area of Cross River state, for his refusal to obey court judgment entered against him.

Amina Divine Arong had in a Suit NO. HC/135/2022 sought a court declaration that the contents of Mr. Onawu Onor Alobi's (the Defendant) letter dated 22/10/2021 and the undated letter to PDP Screening Committee Appeal Panel against the Claimant (Amina) constitute malicious, libelous and defamatory publication of the Claimant's character.

Among other things, Amina prayed the court for damages for libel including exemplary and special damages in the sum of N200,000,000 (Two Hundred million) only.

“An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant whether by himself, his servants or agents or otherwise from publishing or causing to be published the said similar words against the claimant anywhere.

“An Order compelling the Defendant to publish or cause to be published a retraction of the libelous and defamatory letters dated 22/10/2021 addressed to Anina Arong, appeal panel and an apology letters to the claimant (Hon. Amina Divine Arong), PDP Olulumo Ward Ikom, Ikom PDP chapter, PDP Cross River State and PDP National, Wadata Plaza Abuja where his libelous and defamatory letter was sent to and also cause a publication to be made in 2 (two) National Daily Newspapers. Cost of action of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) only.”

After hearing E.L Mbotor, Esq, and E. L Itobo, Esq, for the Claimant, their final written address was adopted. They urged the court to enter judgment for the claimant. 

The Defendant counsel, E.E.Osim,Esq, was at all material times present at the court and even filed a preliminary objection.

The Court presided by Justice E E. Koofreh in his judgment in favour of the Claimant made the following orders including a declaration that the content of the Defendant's letter dated 22/10/2021 and the letter to PDP Screening Committee Appeal Panel against the Claimant constitute malicious, libelous and defamatory publications of the Claimant's character and a N10,000,000 ( Ten Million Naira) damages.

"An order that the defendant whether by himself, his servants, agents or otherwise are by order of perpetual  injunction restrained from further publishing or causing to be published the said similar words defamatory to the claimant anywhere.

"That the defendant is here by ordered to publish or cause to be published a retraction of the libelous and defamatory letters herein to the Claimant and the chairman, PDP Screening Committee Panel an apology letters to the Claimant, PDP Olulumo Ward, Ikom PDP Chapter, PDP National, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where the defamatory letters were sent to and a publication in one National Daily Newspaper as well as N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) cost of this action."

Having failed to comply with the court judgment, the claimant has commenced contempt proceedings by filling FORM 48 dated 7/5/2024 and FORM 49 dated July 10, 2024 and also a motion for committal to prison of  Mr. Onawu Onor Alobi (the Defendant), saying that unless the defendant  purges himself of contempt by obeying the Court judgment he is on his way to prison.