DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION: Odogwu Of Ogwashi-Uku Demands Immediate Retraction, Apology From Pointer Newspaper

Chief Gabriel Ohai, the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has demanded an immediate retraction, and apology from the Publishers of The Pointer Newspaper over what he described as defamatory publication on his office.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the traditional warlord pointed out that The Pointer Newspaper on Friday, 14th of June, 2024 at page 19
published an article containing several false and misleading statements regarding his title as the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku, describing him as “self-styled” Odogwu of Ogwash-Uku and by so doing implied that he was not conferred with or registered as the holder of the said title by those who have the traditional and constitutional powers of conferring and registering him as the holder of the said title.

He opined that the libellous, vexatious, damaging publication further alluded to him as having alienated, or attempting to alienante, by sale, mortgage or lease, parcels of Ogbe-Odogwu communal land situated at Akpoma, in Ogbe-Odogwu Quarter of Ogwashi-Uku.

Adding that the publication was done in total disregard for the Code of Ethics for Nigerian journalists and injurious his office as Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku.

While dismissing the entire publication is completely false and a pure act of malice geared at tarnishing his image and reputation he hinted that his initial reaction was to wave off the aforementioned publication as baseless and not worthy of any response, having regard to the fact that the identity of the sponsors of the said publication is unknown as it bears no name of any person, living or dead.

He further disclosed that the signatories to the publication are nameless individuals described as “Nwa-Diokpa of Ogbe-Odogwu family” and “Ogbe-Odogwu Family Secretary”

Part of the Statement reads:

“However, having regard to the weighty allegations attacking my person as well as my office as the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku, it has become imperative for me to make the following clarifications:

ALSO READ: APC Candidate Congratulates Ogorugba On Victory As Isoko North Chairman-Elect

“1. I, Chief Gabriel Anyibuofu Ohai, am the current holder of the title of Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku, having been so conferred by His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, and registered as such by the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta State.

2. My conferment and/or registration as the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku, has not been withdrawn by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, and/or the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta State and/or nullified by any Court of Law:

3. No person, other than myself, has been conferred with the title of Odogwu by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and/or registered by the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta State as the holder of such title.

4. Having regard to the foregoing, there was no basis for describing me as the “self-styled Odogwu of Ogwash-Uku as I did not confer the title on myself”;

5. Suit No O/46/2021 between Chief Gabriel Anyibuofu Ohai & Anor v. Chief Chike Louis Nwabuwa & 29 Ors., is not chieftaincy court case on who is the Odogwu of Ogwashi-UKu. Rather it is a case where I am seeking reliefs about for the physical assault on me and my family and the economic loss I suffered when I was attacked the defendants and persons associated with and/or affiliated with them.

6. I am the Claimant in the aforementioned case and as at the time of the publication, none of the defendants had filed their defence.”

Chief Gabriel Ohai demanded a retraction of the libellous publication, correction of false statements and tendering of unreserved apology in a conspicuous place in Pointer newspaper with the same degree of publication, coverage and circulation as the initial.