The long-running defamation suit filed in 2018 by Chief Tony Okoroji against Mr. Efe Omorogbe has suffered another setback, following the claimant’s decision to change his legal counsel for the third time since the case began.
Gatekeepers News reports that the latest development comes amid reports of a dispute between Chief Okoroji and his former lawyers, White Dove Solicitors, over unpaid professional fees. According to court filings and industry sources, the law firm is currently in a legal tussle with the former Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) chairman regarding fees allegedly owed for their work on the ongoing defamation matter.
It is further alleged that the disagreement centers on a settlement payment made by a corporate organization, which the firm claims was contractually due to them but was instead diverted by TOPS, a company owned by Chief Okoroji.
If verified, the allegations could reignite long-standing concerns about corporate governance practices under Chief Okoroji’s leadership of COSON. Similar transparency and accountability issues were at the heart of the 2017 leadership crisis that led to his removal as chairman of the COSON board.
The latest change in legal representation is expected to delay proceedings further, extending a case that has already dragged on for seven years.
Meanwhile, counsel to Mr. Efe Omorogbe, Mr. B. E. Ehiwele, secured a ruling in his client’s favour, as Justice Folami of the Ikeja High Court granted his application for a substantial penalty against the claimant.
