Defamation: Uju Kennedy sues Reps member, Arise TV

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has filed a suit against member of the House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara and Arise Television for defamation of character to the tune of N1 billion naira.

The minister on Thursday Speaking to the media in Abuja, stated that the Writ of Summons followed wrong allegations made by Ogbara, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs against her, while answering questions thrown at her during a programme on Arise Television on June 5, 2024.

She explained that during the programme, Ogbara disclosed that the Minister is already under investigation by the Committee on Public Procurement, adding that she is also being invited to appear before the House Committee on Women Affairs over various offences

The Minister who disclosed that she was being wrongly accused for transactions that transpired before her assumption of office as the Minister of Women Affairs, informed that the wrong accusations has exposed her to great odium and ridicule, especially before right thinking members of the society, including friends, associates, lawyers, relatives, among others

Kennedy-Ohanenye explained further that she had expressed her disdain towards the false allegation and till date they had not made any effort to retract it

“I have reached out to the defendants and spoken to them on how offensive the publication was, especially because it is not true, but till date, they have not apologised to me nor retracted the defamatory publication”, she said.

The Minister therefore stated further that she has filed claims against the defendants jointly and severally for damages amounting to N1b naira for defamation of character