Sowore Omoyele runs a website called Sahara Reporters, reporting on news and current affairs in Nigeria. In May 2008 he reported allegations that the Attorney-General had received a bribe of US$10 million to settle a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and that the bribe had been channeled through his brother, Paul Orhii, who was living in Texas. In response, Mr Orhii (who has since been appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Food and Drug Administration) launched a US$25 million defamation suit in Texas against Omoyele. Having been contacted on Omoyele’s behalf by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the MLDI identified a respected Texas media lawyer who was willing to take the case on a pro bono basis, and helped with the expenses.
Recent News
Media Defence extends partnership with three organisations in sub-Saharan Africa
As part of Media Defence’s project Empowering Women in Digital Rights Advocacy, we are building a strong legal defence network in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this goal, we are providing financial assistance to organisations to establish legal aid units or media defence centres. We are excited to announce that, as part of this project, we are extending […]
15 Years of Impact: Internet Shutdowns
This year marks Media Defence’s 15th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, we will be taking a look at the ways in which freedom of expression has been threatened around the world, and how we have sought to protect it. The internet has become an essential part of modern life. It has transformed the way we […]
Call for Consultants: Modules on Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression in Europe
Purpose of the consultancy contract The purpose of the consultancy contract is to draft nine modules on digital rights and freedom of expression in Europe. Background Media Defence’s vision is a world where journalists no longer face legal challenges that threaten their ability to report freely and independently on issues of public interest, allowing citizens […]