Women Affairs Minister files N1bn defamation suit against Hon. Kafilat,  AriseTV

By Innocent Raphael

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has initiated a defamation lawsuit seeking N1 billion in damages against Hon. Kafilat Ogbara and Arise Television.

In a statement made at her office in Abuja, Kennedy-Ohanenye addressed the media, revealing that the lawsuit stems from allegations made by Hon. Ogbara, the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs.

During a program aired on Arise Television on June 5, 2024, Ogbara alleged that Kennedy-Ohanenye is under investigation by the Committee on Public Procurement and is being summoned by the House Committee on Women Affairs for various offenses.

Kennedy-Ohanenye clarified that the accusations pertain to transactions that occurred before she assumed her current office. She emphasized that these unfounded allegations have subjected her to significant public ridicule and damaged her reputation among peers, friends, and relatives.

Despite expressing her concerns to the defendants and requesting a retraction and apology, no corrective action has been taken.

“I have reached out to the defendants and spoken to them about how offensive the publication was, especially because it is not true. But to date, they have not apologized to me nor retracted the defamatory publication,” Kennedy-Ohanenye stated.

As a result, the Minister has filed a lawsuit against Hon. Ogbara and Arise Television, seeking N1 billion in damages for defamation of character.