Court Orders Zik Gbemre to Pay N5m damages for Libel

A Warri High Court on May 8, 2020 gave judgment against Mr. Zik Gbemre of Iwhrekan Town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in a case of defamation instituted against him by Justice G.E. Gbemre also of Iwhrekan Town.

In the suit W/76/2018 filed by V.E Otomewo Esq. on behalf of Justice Godwin Gbemre, the Court established that Zik Gbemre sent out several publications and text messages to libel and defame Justice G. Gbemre. Zik Gbemre also wrote and sent a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) requesting and seeking to terminate Justice G.E Gbemre’s career at the Bench.

The National Judicial Council, after proper investigation found that Zik Gbemre’s petition lacks merit, and so was dismissed with Justice Godwin Gbemre completely exonerated.

The Court, in its judgment stated that the defendant, Zik Gbemre, showed in his pleading and evidence in Court that he was driven by jealousy and malice to continuously threaten, blackmail and defame the clamant.

Our source disclosed that Zik Gbemre, even in Court, stated that he was determined to put an end to the perceived power of the clamant to resist and influence people against him.

The Court therefore found out that his actions were driven by his desire to be in control of the affairs of the Iwhrekan Community and he was prepared to destroy anyone and anything in the path of achieving that goal, even if it meant destroying the reputation and career of his first cousin, Justice G.E. Gbemre whose father, Chief J.K.B Gbemre trained him.

The Court concluded that Justice Gbemre through the evidence and submission of exhibits proved his case against Zik Gbemre and he his therefore entitled to Judgment.

The Court therefore ordered as follows:

‘’Zik Gbemre, the defendant is to write a letter of apology to the clamant through his Counsel within 14 days from the day of this judgment.

‘’Zik Gbemre is to publish a retraction of his offending publications and file same at the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Warri Division.

‘’Zik Gbemre is to pay the sum of N5,000.000.00 (Five Million naira) only as damages to Justice G.E Gbemre, the Clamant; and Zik Gbemre is also to pay additional N50,000.00 (Fifty thousand naira) as cost to the clamant’’.  

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