Pointblanknews.com, an online news magazine has asked publishers of Vanguard Newspapers, a Nigerian daily to retract and apologize or face legal action, over a publication in its February 24, 2009 and March 24, 2009 edition where it accused journalists at the online medium of extortion.
According to solicitors to Pointblanknews.com, Ayodele Olugbenga & Co, Vanguard must retract its libelous publications of February24, and March 24, 2009, in which the international internet media organization was blackmailed and mischaracterized for exercising the professional duty and responsibility of publishing allegations of ritual murder involving Mrs.Oyindamola Amuka, wife of the publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Samuel Amuka.
Recall that Mrs. Amuka was alleged to have beheaded a 14year old boy for ritual purposes in a Lagos suburb. Following a tip off by an investigative journalist, Steve Ugwu, she was arrested. Photos published by Pointblanknews and other internet based media, showed Mrs. Amuka in handcuffs. In a dramatic twist, she was let off, after N4million bribe was allegedly given to some corrupt cops in Nigeria. Shortly after, in a curious twist, Mr. Ugwu was arrested, and accused by the police for setting up Mrs. Amuka for extortion. He was subsequently arraigned for extortion.
In a letter dated 28th April, 2009, reference number A0/ 002/ 92/ 700 addressed to the Managing Director of Vanguard Nigeria Limited, Publishers of Vanguard Newspaper, Pointblanknews.com owners, Messer, Jackson Ude, Oladimeji Abitogun and Churchill Umoren said the publication was malicious.”
According to Pointblanknews, Vanguard maliciously claimed that Mr. Ugwu is an extortion agent of Pointblanknews.
In addition, Vanguard claimed that poinhtblanknews.com not only serialized the false news but their agents made several monetary on Mr. Amuka.
“They resorted to making secrete contacts and overtures aimed at luring Mr. Amuka to part with money.”The Vanguard story alleged.
According to counsels to Pointblanknews “the publication has not only defamed our clients but has also without justification portrayed them as extortionists, blackmailers and common criminals. Your defamatory publications are calculated to lower our clients in the estimation of right thinking men, cause them to hatred and contempt and have conveyed an imputation injurious to them in their professional calling or business and in their private lives.”
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