Maxwell Opara Pursues N10 Billion Defamation Case Against 'X' and DSS

Mr. Maxwell Opara, a legal practitioner, has lodged a claim seeking N10 billion in damages due to alleged defamation against the social media platform now known as 'X', formerly referred to as Twitter, and the Department of State Services (DSS). In a summons marked FCT/HC/CV/7186/23, filed at the FCT High Court by Malachy Nwaekpe, Opara designated Twitter Nigeria Limited and the Director-General (DG) of the State Security Service (DSS) as the first and second defendants.

The litigation arises from the assertion that Twitter, now labeled 'X', negligently facilitated the dissemination of defamatory, ethnic profiling, and racist remarks made against Mr. Opara by the DSS. These alleged comments were attributed to the DSS under the leadership of its director-general on the security agency's platform, a post that was purportedly visible for over 96 hours starting from July 18. In the same suit dated August 11 and officially submitted on August 14, the State Security Service, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and the Minister of Justice have been identified as the third and fourth defendants respectively.

In connection to a tweet, the DSS supposedly authored the following statements:

"Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilizes other like-minded lawyers against DGSS."

"Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression."

"A Biafran republic agitator and outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN governor."

"Is IPOB defending one of theirs? What a contradiction, what’s the connection, may Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please."

Opara contends that the message, which reached millions of readers, is untrue, defamatory, degrading, disparaging, and harmful in nature. Seeking resolution, he has outlined eight specific remedies, including an order for the DG and DSS to apologize on Twitter and a widely circulated newspaper. Additionally, he is requesting a joint and several payment of N10 billion as compensation for the damaging comments made by the DSS under the leadership of the DG, which Twitter allegedly amplified and disseminated.

Furthermore, Opara is also pursuing a post-judgment interest rate of 10% per annum on the entire monetary award until the sum is fully paid. But upon careful examination, it appears that the security agency may have removed the tweet, as it's no longer visible on its Twitter (X) timeline.

It remains to be seen how the story will unfold, revealing more specific details to the general public.