An Abuja High Court has delivered a major legal victory to Senator Yisa Braimoh, awarding him N100 million in damages in a defamation and slander suit against factional Edo State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omobunde Bob-Manuel, popularly known as “Jesus Army,” and former Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Osilama Okuofu.
Senator Braimoh had filed Suit No. FCT/HC/FT/CV/1381/2024, seeking N5 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements published against him and members of his family.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice J. O. Adeyemi Ajayi ruled in favour of the claimant and awarded N100 million in damages for the defamatory publications.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making or publishing further defamatory statements against Senator Braimoh. In addition, the defendants were ordered to publicly retract the statements and publish apologies on the platforms where the allegations were made, as well as in two national newspapers.
The court further awarded N2 million as the cost of the action and directed that the judgment sum attract an interest rate of 8 percent per annum from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Braimoh expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing it as a well-considered verdict. He said the outcome sends a strong message against the spread of defamatory statements and underscores the importance of accountability in public discourse.
