N5bn libel suit: MEND seeks out of court settlement with former president Goodluck Jonathan
The
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND has released a statement
saying their leaders, Charls and Henry Okah have agreed to be part of the
mediatory and conciliatory moves by Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark to
reconcile them with former President Goodluck Jonathan over their threat to
file a N5 billion libel suit against the ex president.
The brothers had slammed a N5 billion lawsuit against Jonathan and his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, for allegedly breaching their fundamental right to fair hearing with a press statement issued on August 8th that they were after his life.
In a statement released today by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND says the endorsement is coming after Chief Clark held an exploratory meeting regarding amicable and peaceful resolution of the issue with the former President at Abuja. Giving details of the meeting which was attended by counsel to the Okah brothers, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, MEND hinted that the meeting dwelt essentially, on an out-of-court settlement with the former President and efforts to find sustainable solutions to the current Niger Delta crisis.
“We are indeed, sufficiently convinced that
reconciliation between the Okah brothers, on the one hand and former President
Goodluck Jonathan, on the other hand; is in the overall interest of the Niger
Delta region. More especially at this critical point when the region and its
key actors and stakeholders must speak in unison so as to attract peace and
development. We therefore hope and believe that, in a few days’ time, Chief
Edwin Clark shall formally summon a meeting of the former President and counsel
to the Okah brothers to finalize and lay the issue(s) to rest”the statement
said
No comments:
Post a Comment