By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi State High Court 7, presided over by Justice Abdulkadir Lamido Kabir, has awarded N105 million in damages against Wikki Media and Publications Limited over a "Defamatory publication" 11involving MinXin Mineral Separation Ltd and two individuals, Ali Arzuka and Ibrahim Usman Adam.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Lamido granted N100 million as general damages and an additional N5 million as cost of action, bringing the total to N105 million.
The court held that the online publication by WikkiTimes, along with an inserted photograph of notorious terrorist leader Dogo Gide was "Libelous, false, and defamatory, unfairly linking the plaintiffs to terrorism and illegal activities."
Justice Lamido further ordered WikkiTimes to publish a written public apology and retraction on its online platform and publish the apology in three national newspapers, one of which must be the Daily Trust as well as publish the same in two internationally circulating magazines.
It also ordered that the medium should remove and erase the offending stories and images from the internet and desist from making similar "defamatory publications against the plaintiffs."
The judge also directed that all "defamatory materials" published from September 16, 2023, be pulled down immediately.
The plaintiffs, through their counsel Barrister Emmanuel Danjuma, had initially sought N10 billion in aggravated and general damages and an additional N10 million as cost of action.
They told the court that WikkiTimes published an investigative story titled: "INVESTIGATION: Inside Secret Details of How Chinese Allied Miners Bribed Dogo Gide Terror Group to Access Mining Sites in Niger State."
The story included the plaintiffs' names and a manipulated photograph in which a picture originally taken with the Governor of Niger State was replaced with the image of terrorist kingpin Dogo Gide.
The plaintiffs argued that the publication was globally accessible, malicious, and intended to tarnish their reputation, noting that they hold legitimate mining leases ML 45933 and ML 4314 in Shiroro LGA of Niger State.
They said the "false allegations" exposed them to public hatred and ridicule.
In their defence, counsel for Wikki Times Barr. SG Idrees argued that the publication was based on a thorough investigation and aimed at drawing attention to insecurity in Niger State.
The defendants denied manipulating photographs or falsely implicating the plaintiffs, insisting that none of the quoted statements directly referred to the plaintiffs and challenging them to provide strict proof.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Lamido ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, declaring the publication defamatory and awarding N105 million in damages along with the mandatory retractions and public apologies.
Our correspondent reached out to Malam Haruna Muhammad Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, for his reaction.
He stated that WikkiTimes acknowledged the judgment delivered by the Bauchi State High Court, "While the organization respects the court's authority, it firmly disagrees with the ruling, particularly the classification of its investigative work as "defamatory."
According to him, the report in question was produced in good faith, motivated by public interest, and rooted in on-the-ground investigations into the insecurity affecting communities in Niger State.
Haruna assured that WikkiTimes remained committed to ethical and responsible journalism and will consult its legal team on the next steps, including the possibility of an appeal. The judgment, he said, will be carefully studied and addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
"This ruling represents a difficult moment for independent media in Nigeria. On a personal note, receiving news of the judgment on the very morning I am scheduled to defend my thesis proposal, research that partly explores the pressures faced by small newsrooms striving to hold power accountable, makes the situation even more sobering.
"But I can tell you that despite these challenges, WikkiTimes remains steadfast in its mission. We will continue to uphold our responsibility to hold power to account and to serve the public with courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment," the publisher stated.
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