Benin City: A High Court siting in Benin City, Edo State Capital has declined hearing into a case of alleged defamation of character instituted by former Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu against Rita Ebuwa, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain over outright bleach of Covid-19 protocol.

The presiding Judge, High Court 2, Justice J. l Acha who noted that the case was formerly filed on 16 February 2021 by Counsel to the Claimants, Mathar Mago ordered that the case file be quarantine for four days before it can be heard in line with Covid-19 procedure.

The court thereafter adjourned hearing into the case for April 1st 2021.

In suit No B/488/2020 between Pastor Ize Osagie Ize-iyamu and Rita Ebiuwa: the claimant amongst others is demanding for N500miilion as damages over libelous publication against his person said to have been published on 19/7/ 2020 by the defendant on Facebook and other social media.

The claimant also want a declaration by the court that the statement published in social media platforms especially Facebook syndicated amongst other groups is malicious, defamatory and bringing him to hatred, ridicule and public odium.

Osagie had equally sought an order of the court directing the defendant to publhised an approved former letter of apology and a retraction of the purported libelous publications in no fewer than seven national dailies.

Counsel to the defendant, Martin Omo Ighekpe in an earlier response said the alleged libelous claims against his client by Pastor Ize Osagie lyamu was not only misleading, malicious and gold digging adding that his client was never the author of the publication as same was circulated globally on Facebook.