UK journalist sues Sahara Reporters publisher for N100M

A UK based journalist and PR practitioner, Lekan Fatodu, is suing Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and demanding N100M for defamation.

In June, Mr Fatodu told Pulse during an exclusive interview that Soworewho was his friend for over two decades before they fell apart only recently--did vow to blackmail him if a bribe of N100M from a contract he executed with the Nigerian government, wasn’t paid him.

"Sowore demanded N100M from me as bribe. He said N1.7B was transferred to my account. That out of it, I got a share of N500M. He said that out of my share, I should give him N100M," Fatodu said.

He had added that: "Sowore told me that if I don't give him N100M from the infamous Sambo Dasuki loot, he'll run the story.

"Besides, what I executed for the Nigerian government at the time, was a legitimate business transaction which cost nowhere near N1.7B. I don't know where Sowore got his bogus figures from”.

According to Fatodu; “My case against Sowore and Sahara Reporters is peculiar because I am an ordinary citizen; not the usual public official who can easily be blackmailed into silence by Sowore using the online platform. 

“But my concern is really for potential innocent victims of this criminality who may not have the guts to publicly defend and pursue a legal action in similar instances". 

According to Fatodu; “Therefore I have started an advocacy against fake news which began in June with the first anti-fake news and anti-blackmail protest in Nigeria which was held in front of Sahara Reporters' Lagos office. 

"And that has been followed with development of a good communication channel and skill service to help victims raise their issues and embolden them to stay strong in fighting their cases.

“The N100M being demanded for damages on my reputation will be used for a special purpose vehicle that is for the creation of Citizens Advise Bureau similar to what they have in the UK. 

“But this will be established essentially to help the victims of blackmail, fake news and cyberbullying. And the figure is the same amount Sowore criminally demanded from me to stop him from publishing the defamatory story he cooked up against me. I want it to be a cross of shame he will carry in his heart for a long time to come". 

"I am committed to following this matter to a favourable conclusion and getting justice which will be used as a strong warning to vicious blackmailers who parade themselves as online publishers and journalists,” he vowed.