By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
For allegedly misleading and misinforming the public, the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Hon. Samuel Mariere, has filed a law suit against Zion Nationale Newspapers (An Online Newspaper) demanding a 100 million naira damages for what he described as false, malicious, and defamatory publication aimed at destroying his reputation.
The publication according to Mariere, had alleged that the SUBEB boss was involved in acts of sexual harassment against a female staff of SUBEB, and accused him of ethnic bias and administrative misconduct in the transfer and posting of teachers across Delta North.
The report further claimed that Mariere had allegedly converted Alfoview Hotel, Asaba into an extension of his office for “illegal transfers” and “abuse of power.”
In a statement issued through his legal counsel, Barr. E. S. Ayokhirih (LP), Mariere described the allegations as entirely false, fabricated, and driven by malice, with the intent of misleading the public and damaging his image as a public servant of integrity.
In the legal notice, the SUBEB boss is demanding an immediate retraction of the publication, a public apology, and the payment of ₦100 million as damages for libel. The letter emphasized that failure to comply would compel the legal team to initiate full court proceedings without further notice.
Mariere maintained that throughout his tenure, he has upheld fairness, transparency, and due process in all administrative matters, and that no staff member has ever reported such allegations to the appropriate authorities. He insisted that the false publication was the handiwork of detractors bent on frustrating the ongoing reforms within the state’s education sector.
A message sent to Zion Nationale Newspaper to clarify the allegations leveled against the medium was not responded to and calls put across was not also responded to, but
as the legal battle continues, observers will be watching if the medium will comply with the demands of retraction and apology, or challenged the suit against it.