Construction firm sues Adamawa Assembly for libel, claims N1 billion damages

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Adamawa state House of Assembly has been dragged before a High Court in Yola by a construction company, Hydro-source and Resources, for alleged defamation of character.
It could be recalled that the quagmire started last week Tuesday when the House Committee on Rural and Community Development, at a committee seating, accused three construction firms, including Hydro Source Resources, handling World Bank assisted rural roads projects in the state of shoddy deal or performing not in accordance with the contractual specifications.
A situation that forced the company to address a press conference last Friday demanding for withdrawal of their claim which the company deemed libelous and targeted at tarnishing its reputation hence it issued a 48 hours ultimatum or face legal action.
The firm which is claiming N1 billion damages sued the Speaker of the House, the House Committee on Rural and Community Development and seven others claiming N1 billion damages.
The firm alleged that the House Committee had in a newspaper publication accused the company of conniving with the Ministry of Rural Development and that of Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP-2) to defraud World Bank and the people of Adamawa.
The case is before Justice Nathan Musa of Yola High Court 1 who has granted an order of interim injunction which among others restrained the assembly from taking any action against the firm and its officials pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“Having carefully perused the reliefs sought in this application, the affidavit evidence and the written address of counsel which he adopted as his oral arguments before the court, I am of the view that this application has merit and ought to be granted as prayed”, the judge said.
Justice Nathan fixed Nov. 14 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Speaking on the suit, counsel to the firm, Ahmed Garba, said the suit was filed following the expiration of the 48 hours ultimatum given the House of Assembly “to retract the libelous publication and apologize to the company.”
“We are doing this to protect democracy and fight against legislative lawlessness, rascality and arrogance,” Garba said.