A legal dispute concerning allegations of financial misappropriation and defamation involving members of the Itsekiri community in the Diaspora, has reached a resolution in the Superior Court of California.
?On May 26, 2026, the court reportedly concluded a trial in the defamation lawsuit filed by Mr. Toju Ekwejunor-Etchie against Dr. Atutumama Okotie and Mr. Jemine Okotie-Yesin.
The litigation centered on claims regarding the management of funds associated with Ugbajo Itsekiri USA, which had been previously addressed and resolved in proceedings at the Superior Court in Washington DC.
?The legal proceedings resulted in two distinct outcomes:
?Judicial Ruling: Following the trial, the court found Dr. Atutumama Okotie liable for defamation. On June 8, 2026, a formal Court Order was issued, mandating that Dr. Okotie pay $300,000.00 in damages.
The judgment specifies that interest will continue to accrue at the standard California court rate until the total amount is settled.
?Settlement Agreement: Mr. Jemine Okotie-Yesin opted to reach a settlement prior to the conclusion of the trial. Under the terms of the agreement, he is required to provide a formal apology, issue a retraction of his previous statements through the original publication channels, and pay $8,000.00 in damages.
?Statement on Future Community Initiatives
?Reflecting on the conclusion of the case, Mr. Ekwejunor-Etchie emphasized that the pursuit of this lawsuit was driven by a desire to address the impact of the allegations on those involved, including Mrs Oti Nwosu and Dr. Ogbemi Omatete.
?Mr. Ekwejunor-Etchie has publicly committed to dedicating the net proceeds from these legal outcomes to projects aimed at fostering civil discourse and unity within Itsekiri communities, both in the United States and Nigeria. He expressed a hope that this resolution serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining respectful dialogue, even when community members hold differing viewpoints.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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