A sales representative with Drugfield Pharmaceuticals Limited in Cross River State, Prince Fajulugbe Adeshola Temitayo, has filed a lawsuit against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly damaging his professional reputation. Temitayo, who holds three Master’s degrees, is demanding N500 million in damages from the NDLEA for branding him a “drug peddler” in a publication that was widely circulated across various media outlets.
The controversy stems from an , publication by the NDLEA, which associated Temitayo’s name and picture with illicit drug activities. However, Temitayo insists that the medical supplies in question were legitimate pharmaceutical products destined for Bez Pharmacy Limited, and that the distributor was under contractual obligations to supply the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Despite the legitimate nature of the goods being confirmed by the parties involved, the NDLEA failed to issue a public correction or apology, allowing the defamatory content to remain unaddressed. Temitayo is seeking an unreserved apology, a retraction of the offensive words, and an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the NDLEA from further publishing the defamatory statement.
This case is not an isolated incident, as there have been similar cases of defamation and demands for damages in the past For instance, Abba Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, demanded N500 million in damages from the NDLEA over alleged unlawful detention, while Igboho sued Gani Adams for defamation and demanded N500 million in damages. These cases highlight the importance of protecting one’s reputation and the need for accountability from individuals and organizations that make defamatory statements.
