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Tinubu pardons AIT, withdraws libel suit

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The N20 billion libel suit hanging on African Independent Television, AİT, has finally been lifted as former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Friday withdrew the suit.

Tinubu’s decision to withdraw the suit is predicated on a letter of apology presented in court on Friday at the resumed sitting of the suit, saying it holds him in high esteem.

The former governor dragged AIT to court after it aired a documentary believed to be injurious to his reputation shortly before the 2015 general elections.

The letter read in part: “Daar Communications Plc acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion-moulder, who has made and continues to make immense contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.

“Daar Communications Plc admits that in iairing the said documentary, it had no intention, whatsoever, to embarrass or diminish the high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to.”

When the suit resumed on Friday, cousel to both parties, Mike Ozekhome and Wole Olanipekun, informed the judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe, that they had reached an out-of-court settlement.

“We have come here today that every war that is fought is finally resolved at the round table.
Parties have decided to settle amicably to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had before the devil struck”, Ozekhome said.

Tinubu’s counsel, Olanipekun concurred with Ozekhome’s submission, saying they have decided it was time they put their differences behind.

The judge, while adopting the terms of the settlement, ordered Daar Communications Plc to publicly and unequivocally retract the documentary thrice daily and that AIT apologize to Mr. Tinubu three times daily.

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