By Chukwudi Nweje
A group of Igbo people in the United States of America (USA), under the auspices of American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), based in Jacksonville, Florida, has dragged one Ivan Sascha Sheehan and the University of Baltimore, Maryland before the District Court, over alleged defamation.
AVID, comprising men and women of Igbo descent who have served in different branches of the United States military, as well as other people of Igbo ethnic origin, who are widely regarded as Biafrans/members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are suing Sheehan and the University of Baltimore on a 14-count charge of defamation over an analysis/opinion article written by Sheehan and published by The Washington Times, under the headline ‘US Ignores Small African Terrorist Group, IPOB, at its Peril.’
The suit is marked CASE NO: 1:22-cv-02508 filed November 2, 2022 by counsel to AVID, Joseph M. Nde Fah, of FAH LAW GROUP, P.C.
In counts 1 -7 of the suit against Sheehan, AVID avers in part, that, “Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published by Defendant Sheehan with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has directly and approximately caused damage to Plaintiff’s reputation in an amount to be determined at trial. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has directly and approximately caused severe emotional distress and personal humiliation.
Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant Sheehan, justifying an award of punitive damages.”
In counts 7 -14 against the University of Baltimore, the group avers that the university published the article in conspiracy with Sheehan. It claims in part: “Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published in conspiracy between Defendant Sheehan and Defendant University of Baltimore, Maryland with knowledge by both of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will.
“Defamatory falsehood number 1 has directly and approximately caused damage to Plaintiff’s reputation in an amount to be determined at trial. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has directly and approximately caused severe emotional distress and personal humiliation.
“Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy between Defendant Sheehan and Defendant University of Baltimore, Maryland, justifying an award of punitive damages against Defendant University of Baltimore, Maryland…”
The group is praying the court to grant judgement against Defendants, jointly and severally as follows: “For general damages as to counts 1-14 of not less than USD$2million as to each count or such other amount to be determined at trial.
“For special damages as to counts 1-14 of not less than $1million as to each count or such other amount to be determined at trial. For punitive damages against each defendant as to counts 1-14, respectively, in an amount to be determined at trial, but not less than 10 times the amount of general and special damages as to each count, to punish and penalise defendants and to deter repetition.
“For an injunction requiring defendants to remove all statements adjudicated defamatory in this case from all websites or other digital, social media, or hard copy platforms in their control.
“For an injunction requiring defendants to publish a retraction of the statements found defamatory, including a retraction published in The Washington Times). For attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by plaintiffs in this action; and, for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper.”