Arik Air Loses Libel Suit Against Punch

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja has dismissed an N8.25bn libel suit filed by Arik Air Nigeria Limited in 2012 against Punch Nigeria Limited.

In a judgment delivered on June 21, 2016, Justice S.C. Oriji dismissed Arik’s suit for lacking in merit and ordered the airline to pay a cost of N50,000 to Punch.

The judge declared that Arik failed to prove that it suffered any financial loss or injury to its reputation as a result of an April 8, 2012 Sunday Punch’s publication with the title, “Debt: AMCON takes over Arik Air,” which the airline had complained of.

“So, assuming that the defendants are not entitled to the defence of justification and qualified privilege, the fact that the publication did not occasion any loss to the plaintiff will whittle down its claim of N8bn.

“From all that I have said, the conclusion I must reach is that the plaintiff is not entitled to its claims. The suit is dismissed. I award a cost of N50,000 to the defendants, payable by the plaintiff,” Justice Oriji declared.