A former State House of Assembly member who represented Ehime Mbano State Constituency, Hon Lawman Duruji has landed into trouble as the Imo State Assembly Speaker Rt Hon Collins Chiji has dragged him to court over a libellous matter.
Speaker Chiji had alleged that in an interview Lawman Duruji had granted to some newsmen, he (Chiji) was maligned and defamed through the said publication.
Chiji insisted that the $150 bribery allegation levelled against the judiciary was a big allegation that cannot be taken for granted, stating that the Lawman Duruji must prove his case beyond reasonable doubt or face the music.
This law suit has further escalated the raging battle between Chiji and Duruji who are both from Okigwe zone.
Findings reveal that the sour relationship between them started when Duruji accused the Chiji of allegedly being the brains behind his ouster from Imo House of Assembly by the appeal court in December 2019.
About six Owerri based newspaper companies, ran the interview with headline, “Lawman Duruji explodes, narrates how Speakers Chiji masterminded his ouster from Imo House of Assembly (9th House).
Lawman Duruji made several accusations at Chiji including the allegation of bribery and forgery.
Speaker Chiji had filled the suit at the State High Court in Owerri.
Chiji claimed Lawman Duruji and the six newspaper companies joined in the suit knew the allegations were false yet went along with it.
He insisted that image of the judiciary cannot be dragged through the mud stating that he is a man of integrity and cannot bribe any court to remove Lawman Duruji.
He insisted that Lawman Duruji must explain the issue of $150 properly for Imolites to ascertain the truth of the matter.
