Obidigwe Moves To Enforce N10m Judgment Against Folio Communications
Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, immediate past member who represented Anambra East and West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, has commenced moves to enforce the judgment against Folio Communications, Publishers of Daily Times.
Recall that an Anambra High Court sitting in Awka awarded Obidigwe N10 million damages and N200,000 costs against Folio Communications Plc, publishers of the Daily Times newspaper.
The judgement was entered on May 28, 2024 by Hon. Justice H.O. Ozoh
Obidigwe had approached the court in
Suit no. OT/191/2021 claimed that the defendants through its medium Daily Times Newspaper published a defamatory. libelous and malicious statement against him.
The publication made on its Facebook page 24/10/2021 claimed the Plaintiff and his convoy were intercepted with a large cache of arms and ammunition by a combined team of police and Military at the outskirts of Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It said the a total of 52 AK47 riffles, 119 pump actions and thousands of ammunitions were recovered from Plaintiff’s convoy and convoy was escorted back to Zone 13 Police Headquarters Ukpo
But publication was swiftly debunked by Zone 13 Command of the Nigeria Police, which confirmed that no such arrest was ever made.
Efforts the former lawmaker and his legal team, led by O.L. Udemezue & Co., for a retraction and apology, the publishers failed, compelling the lawmaker to seek judicial redress.
Obidigwe therefore instituted a N4 billion libel action against Folio Communications Plc following a publication in Daily Times in December 2021
On May 28, 2025, an Anambra High Court in Awka presided over by Hon. Justice H.O. Ozoh
delivered judgment in favour of Obidigwe, holding that the publication was defamatory.
The Court consequently awarded him N10 million as damages for defamation and an additional N200,000 as cost of action.
Following the judgment, Obidigwe’s lawyers formally demanded that Folio Communications liquidate the judgment debt.
But the after repeated demands went unheeded, Obidiegwe’s legal team obtained a Judgment Certificate from the Court which had been filed in Abuja to pave the way for execution against the media organisation.
A member of Obidigwe’s legal team said the judgement had neither been appealed nor vacated and that the path of courtesy had been exhausted.
“The judgment has crystallised into a debt and must now be enforced in line with the laws of Nigeria.
On his part, Obidigwe reaffirmed his commitment to justice and accountability adding it would not only clear his name but also serve as a deterrent against reckless journalism.
