N5bn libel suit: MEND seeks out of court settlement with former president Goodluck Jonathan

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND has released a statement saying their leaders, Charls and Henry Okah have agreed to be part of the mediatory and conciliatory moves by Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark to reconcile them with former President Goodluck Jonathan over their threat to file a N5 billion libel suit against the ex president. The brothers had slammed a N5 billion lawsuit against Jonathan and his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, for allegedly breaching their fundamental right to fair hearing with a press statement issued on August 8th that they were after his life.
In a statement released today by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND says the endorsement is coming after Chief Clark held an exploratory meeting regarding amicable and peaceful resolution of the issue with the former President at Abuja. Giving details of the meeting which was attended by counsel to the Okah brothers, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, MEND hinted that the meeting dwelt essentially, on an out-of-court settlement with the former President and efforts to find sustainable solutions to the current Niger Delta crisis.

“We are indeed, sufficiently convinced that reconciliation between the Okah brothers, on the one hand and former President Goodluck Jonathan, on the other hand; is in the overall interest of the Niger Delta region. More especially at this critical point when the region and its key actors and stakeholders must speak in unison so as to attract peace and development. We therefore hope and believe that, in a few days’ time, Chief Edwin Clark shall formally summon a meeting of the former President and counsel to the Okah brothers to finalize and lay the issue(s) to rest”the statement said