A former lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Peter Ekemezie has said he was never in Psychiatric Hospital or prison and threatened to take up the matter with the reporter if he fails to retract a story published to that effect.
Ekemezie was reacting to a report of being sentenced to six months in prison with an option of N300,000 fine by Awka Magistrates’ court. The report carried that the Magistrate in passing his judgment, stated that he considered the fact that the defendant was in a psychiatric home for one month and Correctional Centre for four months.
These are the interactions between Ekemezie and the reporter:
Ekemezie: “Romanus, you’d better retract your fallacious publication against me by publishing the above (referring to an article he published on his Facebook about Prof. Asigbo which the Magistrate had declared defamatory).
“Where did you gather the falsehood that I was at Psychiatric Hospital for one month and four months in prison? If you fail to withdraw this falsehood, I will take it up with you!
Reporter’s response: “The report is purely based on Certified True Copy of the court judgment. It is a report of what transpired in the court as contained in the court judgment. Every statement in the court is covered as privileged.
“Moreover, don’t you think that I am under obligation to report the story because when you went to court, you sent it to me and I reported it. So, if judgment has been delivered on the same matter, is it not expedient to also report it?
“I cannot publish a document (referring to the same article published on his Facebook about Prof. Asigbo) the court had adjudged defamatory. If you have issues with the judgment of the court and plans to appeal it, go ahead and let me know. I will report that you are challenging the judgment.”
Ekemezie: “Let me have the Certified True Copy of the judgement you relied upon to say I was in the Psychiatric Hospital for one month and prison for four months. Nothing like that happened!
“Besides, I never briefed you about this Alex Asigbo’s phantom charge of forgery cum defamation so I don’t know the obligation you are talking about. Kindly withdraw the fallacious publication asap!”
Reporter: “Can you recall that you sent me two court matters involving Asigbo; one via WhatsApp and another via, DHL? Moreover, I am not the one saying anything. I only quoted what the Magistrate stated in the judgment. No statement in the story is a personal opinion.”
Ekemezie: “Certainly not this phantom charge! Let me have the Certified True Copy you relied upon now so I know where to direct my grievance.”
Reporter: “The lawyer that represented you made an allocutus before judgment was passed. So, the lawyer can apply for the judgment copy so you can be sure of what you get. My reason is simple. If you cannot trust my many years of experience in journalism, to be fair in my reportage, how will you believe that I sent you the true copy of the judgment?”
Ekemezie: “My brother Romanus, stop insulting my sensibilities. I represented myself in the matter till it was adjourned sine die by the trial Magistrate and without an order for me to be served a hearing notice, I was tried and convicted in absentia.
“You are just being mischievous and clever by half! I couldn’t have filed an appeal without a certified copy of the judgement. I have it and there is no where it was stated that I was at Psychiatric Hospital for one month and prison for four months. For the umpteenth time, withdraw your fallacious publication or see what makes me thick as an activist and social crusader. Forward the judgement you were availed to me in the same manner it was sent to you. Don’t bother yourself doing the battle. I will!”
Reporter: “I have no issue, whatsoever, with you or anybody. It is simply that you got me involved in two matters between you, Asigbo and others. So when this one was concluded and judgment was delivered, it should be reported for there to be balance.
“To show you that I don’t have anything against you or anybody but only doing my statutory job as a journalist, see the above documents (The certified true copy of the court judgment was sent to him).
Ekemezie: “Ok! You have done the right thing! Thanks! I will take it from there!”
Reporter: “So can you tender an apology for all the negative comments you made against me?
Ekemezie: “No apology is required yet!
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for you will have more issues to be published in due course. But, my brother Romanus, you read law! If the count of forgery and uttering were struck out, on what basis should one be convicted on defamation? And, of course, you didn’t report that counts one and two bothering on forgery and uttering were struck out as contained in the judgement. So, endeavor to do so asap!”
Reporter: “You are also very educated and should understand the judgment in totality. Counts 1 and 2 were struck out at the Magistrates’ court because they are in another matter pending at Awka High Court.”
Ekemezie: “That’s false!”
