The Federal High Court, Lagos Division, has ruled that the suit filed by a human rights activist, KeneChukwu Okeke, against CNN America Inc; Stephanie Busari and MultiChoice Nigeria Limited is competent and proper in law.

Justice T. G. Ringim gave the ruling, Monday, in suit number FHC/L/CS/1839/2020, instituted by Okeke against CNN and others.

The claimant had threatened to sue CNN over alleged dissemination of fake news and operating illegally in Nigeria especially for declining to pay taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

However, the court further ordered him to include his phone numbers used for WhatsApp, social media and email addresses in his originating summons and other processes.

In the same proceedings, the motion filed by Globacom Limited for an extension of time within which to file their counter-affidavit and Written Address was also granted by the court in the absence of any opposition.

The Court also regularized the motion and counter-affidavit filed by the FIRS in response to the suit.

The case has been adjourned to November 29, 2021 for hearing.

CNN America Inc. had on September 4, 2021 her Counsel, Olumide Babalola Esq; filed preliminary objections seeking the dismissal of the suit filed by Okeke for a purported noncompliance with the Rules of Court of which the Court subsequently overruled yesterday.

Okeke said he took legal action to compel CNN and MultiChoice to pay relevant taxes to the Government of the Federation.