Court awards N50m damages against Pararan over defamation
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readA Delta State High Court has ruled against Diamond Dietanuru Osakorigho, known as Pararan, for defaming Apostle Michael Akpor via a Facebook post. The court awarded N50 million in damages and N1 million in legal costs, while mandating a public apology in national newspapers.
Context & Background
- ✦The case highlights the legal risks associated with irresponsible social media usage and the spread of false information in Nigeria.
- ✦The dispute originated from false allegations linking the cleric to a July 2022 killing, which police investigations later disproved.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Justice R.D. Harriman, presiding judge who delivered the judgment.•Diamond Dietanuru Osakorigho (Pararan), the defendant ordered to pay N50 million in damages.•Apostle Michael Akpor, the claimant who was exonerated by police investigations.
Outlook & Next Steps
The defendant is required to publish an unreserved apology in Vanguard and The Nation newspapers within 14 days of the November 6, 2026, judgment.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- A Delta State High Court ordered Diamond Dietanuru Osakorigho (Pararan) to pay N50 million in damages for defaming Apostle Michael Akpor.
- The defendant must publish an unreserved apology in Vanguard and The Nation newspapers within 14 days.
- The court issued a permanent injunction restraining the defendant from publishing further defamatory materials against the claimant.
Key Facts:July 20, 2022: The defamatory Facebook publication titled 'Warri Pastor Kpuf 2Keke passenger' was posted.November 6, 2026: Justice R.D. Harriman delivered the judgment in Suit No. EHC/91/2023.N1 million: The court awarded N1 million as costs of the suit in addition to the damages.
Editorial Excerpt
By Egufe Yafugborhi EFFURUN — A Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, has awarded N50 million in damages against the proprietor of Pararan Mock News, Diamond Dietanuru Osakorigho, popularly known as Pararan, over a Facebook publication found to be defamatory...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What was the basis of the defamation lawsuit against Pararan?
The lawsuit was based on a Facebook publication made on July 20, 2022, titled 'Warri Pastor Kpuf 2Keke passenger,' which the court found to be false and defamatory.
Was Apostle Michael Akpor involved in the killings at Ugbolokposo community?
No, police investigations, including witness statements and church CCTV footage, exonerated Apostle Akpor and his security details, confirming he was at his church during the incident.
