Defamation : Guardian Newspapers, NSCDC commander settle suit out of court

By Abubakar Yunusa

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has received the terms of settlement between Guardian Newspapers Nigeria Limited and Mr. Attah John Onoja, a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), effectively ending a high-profile defamation suit earlier filed by the officer.

Mr. Onoja, who serves as Commander of the Mining Marshals, had sued Guardian Newspapers over a publication dated June 23, 2025, titled “Community Alleges Involvement of Mining Marshals in Illegal Mining.” He described the report as false, malicious, and defamatory, and sought a court declaration to that effect, a public apology, retraction, injunction, and ₦2 billion in exemplary damages.

Filed as suit number GWD/CV/177/25, the case has now been amicably resolved following the submission of Terms of Settlement jointly signed by both parties and their counsel.

According to the document, Guardian Newspapers acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the publication and agreed to delete the article, retract it, and publish a formal apology across its official website, social media platforms, and print edition. The retraction, which must appear prominently on page 2 or 3 of the newspaper, will explicitly state that the earlier report was “unfounded, regretted, and not intended to impugn the Claimant’s integrity.”

As part of the agreement, the newspaper will also conduct and publish an exclusive interview with Mr. Onoja to highlight his professional contributions and achievements as Commander of the Mining Marshals.

Notably, Mr John Onoja in his magnanimity forfeited the monetary compensation that would have been paid, and released the paper from any future claims arising from the disputed publication.

The settlement, dated August 15, 2025, was signed by both parties . The FCT High Court has adopted the terms of settlement as consent judgment, thereby bringing the matter to a formal close.