A Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, ordered Diamond Dietanuru Osakorigho, the proprietor of Pararan Mock News, popularly known as Pararan, to pay N50 million in damages for defaming Apostle Michael Akpor on Facebook. The ruling, delivered on November 6, 2026, in Suit No. EHC/91/2023 by Justice R.D. Harriman, also mandated the defendant to publish a prominent apology in two national newspapers within 14 days.
What were the specific orders of the court?
Alongside the N50 million compensation for damages, Justice Harriman directed Osakorigho to issue an unreserved apology in Vanguard and The Nation newspapers within a fortnight. The court specified that the published apology must match the circulation and prominence of the initial defamatory post. Furthermore, the judge issued an injunction restraining the defendant, his agents, and associates from circulating any further libellous or injurious content against the cleric, while also awarding N1 million to the claimant as the cost of the suit.
How did the legal battle originate?
The litigation stemmed from a controversial Facebook post published on July 20, 2022, titled “Warri Pastor Kpuf 2Keke passenger.” The publication falsely accused the cleric and two attached police officers—ASP Mesoro Victor and Inspector Ignatius Achazie—of involvement in the July 12, 2022, killing of two individuals at the Ugbolokposo community in Effurun.
However, legal counsel for the claimant, human rights lawyer Austin Nyekigbe, noted that a comprehensive police investigation completely cleared his client and the security personnel. Findings from the inquiry, which evaluated witness testimonies, vehicle identification protocols, and church CCTV footage, proved that Apostle Akpor was engaged in religious activities inside his church premises at the time of the incident.
What are the broader implications for social media users?
Legal practitioners have hailed the judgment as a vital precedent regarding accountability in digital publishing. Speaking after the proceedings, Nyekigbe emphasized that freedom of expression on social media does not grant immunity to publish unverified and damaging claims. Echoing these sentiments, Warri- based lawyer Mrs. Eloho Avwaruroro-Okoye stressed that online publishers must recognize the legal repercussions of spreading false information, commending the legal team for pursuing justice.