Defamation: Southern Atlantic Poly founder sues newspaper for N500m

Joseph Atainyang, Uyo

The proprietor and founder of Southern Atlantic Polytechnic and renowned criminologist, Mr Bassey James has sued the publishers of The Sermon Newspaper for N500m over an alleged defamation.

James during a press briefing in Uyo on Sunday, said: “The Sermon Newspaper publication has defamed his character, personality and the corporate image of the polytechnic.”

He said the newspaper had on its banner story of Vol.17 no 27 alleged that the Southern Atlantic Polythetic initiated cultists during its last matriculation held June 26, 2021.

“It has caused me a lot of pains. The publication has caused irreparable losses to Southern Atlantic Polytechnic that I am the founder.

“The story is a big setback against the investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State. It is totally against the spirit of enterprise and development being pursued by the governor.

“The governor came with Dakkada mantra and people are keying into it to rise to greatness.

“We successfully had our maiden matriculation on June 26, 2021. Nigerians from all walks of life attended the event.

“The governor sent a representative, his SA on security, Distinguished Senator Effiong Bob was the chairman of the occasion. Some commissioners and council chairmen were there.

‘’We have people from the academic including six professors in attendance. I was shocked to see a damaging report from Sermon Newspaper against the school by labelling our matriculation ceremony an initiation of cultists. I can tell you that the public received that message with shock.

The publisher explained that the news has severally damaged the reputation of the school hence “we are heading to court to seek redress and claim damages.

“I must advise that there should be a basic and acceptable qualification for people who wish to practice journalism.

“It should not be an all-comers affair. I am reaching out to leaders of the union on this matter”.

According to him, the mission as an institution is to groom the youths to become better citizens and be gainfully employed or become entrepreneurs.

“That is the vision of the Governor and we have already keyed in for the overall development of the state. Already, the institution is also giving out scholarship to encourage the indigent ones to acquire knowledge and skills.

We are already into production like shoes of all types, clothing line, cosmetics, garri, crayfish, palm oil and so many other items. We combine both foreign and local technology.

We are assisting neighbouring communities as part of our corporate social responsibility. I believe that the publication was sponsored to tarnish our image and destroy our reputation.

The story will affect the psychological disposition of our intending investors. He will seek justice and justice will take its full course.

We will look for N500 million damages; the publication has forced some of our partners to suspend further discussions with us.

We are also in serious discussions with banks on the funding of our products and the story which had affected the reputation of the school may not encourage them too”.

The proprietor further highlighted, “My legal team actually suggested N1 billion damages but after due considerations, we settled for N500 million.

“The publication is a great setback and I doubt if we can recover from the damages in five to ten years.

“The ascription of cultism to a young institution notwithstanding the massive investment already put on ground is not what even N500 million will take care of.

“Then look at my personality and reputation before the good people of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria, asking for even a billion naira is justified.

“The news item was reviewed in social and mainstream media platforms and has travelled wide to the detriment of the young institution.

“It was also a news item in the radio stations with reference to the newspaper I still believe that the young men were paid to do the wicked job may be because of my recent interview on our plans to clamp down on illegal polytechnics in the state and beyond to improve the quality of education in the state and country.

“We are going to court not just for the money, but to clear our reputation and creditability, our integrity and guarantee a better future with our children who are schooling there. I don’t want to regret bringing the institution to Akwa Ibom State.

“Everything we did on the day of matriculation was beamed life and journalists covered the ceremony.

“We also want them to publish the retraction in 10 national newspapers, five national television and all existing local media in the state.

The story is already read worldwide via internet, I have had calls from parents who threatened to withdraw their kids and those who said they are no longer bringing their children to the school. “I am also a pastor and stand the risks of being suspended by the church if I fail to clear my name from this mess”, he said.