Commissioner Sues Media Outlet for Defamation, Demands For N10m Compensation
Hon. Usman Lade, the Commissioner for Water Resources in Kwara State, has filed a lawsuit against Nupekotvlafiagi, a local media outlet, over a report accusing him of neglecting his core responsibilities. The controversial article, published by Nupekotvlafiagi, alleged that Lade was distributing farm inputs—a task deemed outside the scope of his role as Commissioner for Water Resources.
The report further claimed that Lade’s actions were a diversion from his primary duty to address the pressing water needs of residents in Lafiagi and surrounding regions. According to the outlet, communities in these areas have been grappling with severe water shortages, with many residents reportedly “crying out” for relief. Instead of addressing these concerns, the commissioner opted to take legal action against the media outlet, demanding N10 million in damages for what he describes as defamatory and false reporting.
In response to the allegations, Hon. Usman Lade has maintained that the rehabilitation of the Lafiagi waterworks has been completed. He insists that the project has been successfully executed and that the claims of persistent water shortages are unfounded. However, residents and critics have questioned the effectiveness of the rehabilitation, noting that access to clean water remains a significant challenge in the region.
The lawsuit has sparked a heated debate about the role of public officials and the media in holding them accountable. Supporters of Nupekotvlafiagi argue that the media has a duty to report on issues affecting the public, especially when it concerns the performance of government officials. On the other hand, Lade’s legal team contends that the report was misleading and damaging to his reputation.
As the case unfolds, residents of Lafiagi and other affected areas continue to voice their frustrations over the lack of access to clean water. Many are calling for transparency and urgent action to resolve the ongoing crisis, regardless of the legal battle between the commissioner and the media outlet.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly in balancing the right to free press with the protection of public officials’ reputations. For now, the people of Lafiagi remain hopeful that their cries for water will not be drowned out by the noise of legal proceedings.
