Nigeria, March 6 -- The N500 million defamation suit filed by Premiere Academy against Mr Lemmy Ughegbe, a journalist and relentless advocate for child and gender rights, raises concerns about the growing misuse of defamation laws to suppress advocacy. The case, stemming from Ughegbe's demand for justice in the tragic death of 14-year-old Keren-Happuch Aondoodo Akpagher, has drawn significant public attention. It brings to the forefront an important debate: where does legitimate advocacy end, and where does defamation begin?

Mr Ughegbe's reference to the school as a prime suspect, while addressing lawyers at the NBA Law Week, is the narrow issue for determination in the defamation suit filed by Premiere Academy. A criminal complaint agai...