Executive Secretary NBTE Prof Idris M. Bugaje
The FCT High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education( NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje to open defense in a N1 billion libel suit brought against him and the Kaduna Polytechnic.
Professor Bugaje, a former rector of the Kaduna Polytechnic, is alleged to have defamed the polytechnic expenditure officer, Bilkisu Sannusi.
Mrs Sannusi had sued the defendants over what she described as alleged defamatory publication against her.
At the resumed sitting, the plaintiff, who adopted her witness statement, testified to the fact that the 1st defendant defamed her and demanded N1 Billion in damages.
However, the defendants’ counsel, after cross-examining the plaintiff, argued that some of the documents submitted by the plaintiff were not certified and should be discarded by the court.
Reacting to the proceedings, the Counsel to the plaintiff, Martin Okpara said they have successfully tendered the necessary evidence and documents in the matter.
The Counsel to the defendants, Mr Kamalu Umar told the court that they were ready for the defense after the cross-examination of the plaintiff.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Mua’azu adjourned the matter till the 29th of June for the defendants to open their defense.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor