A sales representative with Drugfield Pharmaceutical,  Temitayo Fajulugbe, has instituted a lawsuit against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over  alleged character defamation.

The claimant instituted the case with the file number HC/305/2024  through his lawyer, E. E. Osim of the Advocates Chambers, Calabar.

The sales representative, in the case cited in Calabar on Tuesday, is demanding N500 million in damages from the drug law enforcement agency for what he described as maliciously damaging his professional reputation.

He alleged that NDLEA actions resulted in irreparable harm to his reputation and career.

According to the suit, the controversy stems from an October 1, 2023, publication by the NDLEA, branding him a “drug peddler.”

He said that the agency associated his name and picture with illicit drug activities under the headline:  “WANTEDKINGPIN, CHADIAN, GRANDPA ARRESTED OVER LONDON-BOUND SHIPMENT, 4 TONS OF DRUG.”

The publication was widely circulated across various media outlets with different headlines.

According to Mr Fajulugbe, the NDLEA claim was baseless and has since been disproven, asserting that the medical supplies in question were legitimate pharmaceutical products destined for Bez Pharmacy Limited.

He explained that the distributor in question was under contractual obligations to supply the University of CalabarTeaching Hospital.

He claimed that in spite of the legitimate nature of the goods, which was confirmed by the parties involved, the NDLEA failed to issue a public correction or apology, thereby allowing the defamatory content to remain unaddressed.

Among the claimant’s prayers is an unreserved apology and a retraction of the offensive words published by the defendant in the same and similar petition.

He also wants an order of the court for the retraction of the defamatory statement by the defendant in their official website, facebook page and in two national dailies.

He is further demanding for N500,000,000 as exemplary damages for the alleged libellous publication.

He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by itself or servants, or privies, or agents, or hirelings or otherwise howsoever from further publication of the said offensive and libellous words or any of them or any words to the like effect.

When contacted, the Cross River Commander of NDLEA,  Racheal Umebuali, said she was aware of the issue but would not say more than that since it was an `institutional issue’. 

(NAN)