The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has fixed December 15, 2026, to hear an application challenging the joinder of ThisDay Newspapers in a N1 billion defamation counterclaim involving the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, and the university’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Onimawo Akhakhia.
The presiding judge, Justice Urho Erameh, adjourned the matter on Tuesday after hearing submissions from counsel to the parties over a proposed amendment of court processes and the newspaper’s status in the counterclaim.
The dispute originated from a N500 million defamation suit instituted by Akhakhia against Omokhodion and SME Media Limited over alleged libellous statements in a book authored by the former pro-chancellor.
In suit number B/1103/2023, Akhakhia is seeking N500 million in damages over alleged defamatory statements in the book, Lawson A. Omokhodion: Powered by Poverty—A Story of Adversity, Ambition, Diligence and Triumph, particularly a chapter titled Brazen Corruption in the Ivory Tower.
The former vice-chancellor alleged that the publication portrayed him as a thief, corrupt and dishonest person, as well as a fraudster, thereby damaging his reputation and exposing him to public ridicule, embarrassment and emotional distress.
Omokhodion subsequently filed a N1 billion counterclaim on April 12, 2024, alleging that Akhakhia had also defamed him in an interview published by ThisDay Newspapers on September 16, 2020.
The publication, titled Corruption: AAU VC, Council Chairman Trade Accusations, allegedly contained false and malicious statements capable of lowering Omokhodion’s reputation in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.
The former pro-chancellor maintained that the contents of his book were accurate and verifiable, while denying allegations that he purchased an official vehicle for N57 million during his tenure as chairman of the university’s governing council.
He is seeking N1 billion in general damages and an order compelling Akhakhia and ThisDay Newspapers to publish an unreserved apology prominently in the newspaper.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to Akhakhia, Prof. Job Odion, informed the court that his client had filed an application on October 6, 2026, seeking leave to amend his statement of claim and file a reply to the counterclaim.
Responding, counsel to Omokhodion, Chief Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), said he had no objection to the proposed amendment, noting that the claimant intended to introduce additional facts into the proceedings.
However, Obamogie said the relevant processes should also be served on ThisDay Newspapers, which had been joined as a party to the counterclaim.
Odion questioned the propriety of the newspaper’s inclusion, arguing that his client was unaware of the legal basis for its joinder.
In response, Obamogie maintained that legal authorities supported his client’s decision to include the newspaper in the counterclaim.
After listening to both sides, Justice Erameh directed Akhakhia’s counsel to file a formal application if he wished to challenge the propriety of the newspaper’s joinder.
The judge observed that ThisDay Newspapers had already been joined as a party to the counterclaim and said the issue should be properly presented before the court for determination.
He subsequently adjourned the matter until December 15, 2026, for the hearing of the application concerning the newspaper’s status in the proceedings.
Speaking with journalists after the sitting, Obamogie said his client did not oppose the application to amend the claimant’s processes because it was intended to introduce additional facts.
He added that the court had directed that the relevant processes be served on ThisDay Newspapers in Lagos to facilitate further proceedings.
Odion also confirmed that Akhakhia had applied to amend his court processes, while the defendant had joined a Lagos-based newspaper in his counterclaim.
He said the court directed that ThisDay Newspapers be served with the relevant processes before the next hearing.
The case had earlier suffered a setback following the death of Akhakhia’s lead counsel, Chief Henry Ogbodu (SAN), resulting in an adjournment.
