Google challenges libel suit In Nigeria

An Igbosere High Court, Lagos on Monday fixed 18 June for hearing a preliminary objection filed by Google Incorporation in libel case filed by one Nicholas Okoye. Mr Okoye is the Chairman of Anabel Group of companies.

Google, through its counsel, E.A Bahabo had filed a motion, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

The N500 million libel suit was initially filed against Google for improper editorial censorship over a libellous publication but now includes a blog operator, Ladun Liadi and Google Nigeria as first and third defendants.

The counsel to the claimant, Emeka Okwosa had filed an application for interlocutory injunction to prevent the defendants from further publication of the libellous documents till judgement is passed on the case.

A.I Enaefo, counsel to the first defendant, said that his clients had complied and there is no evidence that the libellous publication had been downloaded.

“My clients have complied with that and up to this moment, there is still nothing to show that the libellous publication had been downloaded,” he said.

Mr Bahabo, counsel to the second and third defendants then told the court that two applications have been filed on motion challenging the court jurisdiction to hear the matter and that the name of the third defendant which is Google Nigeria be struck out.

“We have filed two applications challenging the court jurisdiction to hear the matter and that the name of the third defendant which is Google Nigeria be struck out,” he said.

Justice Adedayo Oyabanji, after listening to both parties then adjourned the case to 18 June for hearing of motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.



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