Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a middle aged man from Ibesikpo Asutan, Ekemini Ukim to three years imprisonment for defaming a business mogul and Managing Director of Ubotex Limited, Elder Ubong Obot.
Delivering judgment on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Okon Okon found the defendant guilty on one of the two-count charges filed against him by the State.
The prosecutions, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, Friday Itim, Esq, had in the suit instituted in 2024 alleged that the defendant committed acts of terrorism against Elder Obot and engaged in malicious publication and defamation.
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According to the prosecution, Ekemini Ukim, between 2023 and 2024, allegedly threatened to kill Elder Obot and members of his family over claims relating to a purported N32 million entitlement from proceeds of a government contract.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant maliciously circulated defamatory statements against the businessman within his community and beyond, thereby damaging his reputation.
In his judgment, Justice Okon held that the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt, the allegation that the defendant threatened to kill Elder Obot and his family members, noting that there was insufficient evidence before the court to sustain the terrorism-related charge.
The court consequently discharged and acquitted the defendant on count one.
On the charge of malicious publication and defamation, the court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case, stressing that the defendant failed to establish his claim that Elder Obot owed him the alleged sum of N32 million.
Justice Okon sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine.
Reacting to the judgment, the Managing Director of Ubotex Limited, Elder Ubong Obot, described the verdict as a deterrent to individuals who engage in defamation and malicious attacks and as a lesson to those who take pleasure in tarnishing the image and hard-earned reputation of innocent persons.
