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Westerhof Wins Defamation Suit against Bonfrere Jo

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Former Super Eagles Coach, Clemens Westerhof has won the defamation suit he filed against Johannes Bonfrere, his former assistant coach and later Super Eagles Coach.

The Rechtbank Gelderland High Court in Arnhem, Holland has found Johannes Bonfrere guilty of defamation the case brought before it by Clemens Westerhof.

Westerhof who guided Nigeria to her first World Cup appearance in 1994 took the case to court after Bonfrere Jo told Sports Radio, Brila FM in an interview, that Nigeria lost the round of 16 match against Italy because Westerhof sold the match for $100,000.

Westerhof prayed the court to compel Bonfrere to prove his allegation against him or go to jail and pay a heavy fine as damages for defaming his good name. The case was first heard a fortnight ago.

Justice Bonnekamp who presided over the case, on Tuesday, found Bonfrere guilty as charged and asked him to apologise to Westerhof in a paid advert to be published in a Nigerian national daily, stating that his statements on Westerhof were incorrect.

In a reaction to the judgment, Westerhof’s lawyer, Timon Boer said, “Westerhof won the case and the court has asked Bonfrere to place an advert in a national daily in Nigeria stating that his statements against Westerhof were incorrect.

“More damages to be paid by Bonfrere will be determined next week when the judge meets us and Bonfrere’s lawyers. That is the much I can react on behalf of Westerhof who is my client. Kind regards.”

On his part, an elated Westerhof said: “This is justice for truth. It’s justice to me because I needed to clear my name and the court has done so. I am the happiest man on earth today.”

About the author

Joseph Chukwuma Oputa

Joseph Chukwuma Oputa is the Managing Editor of Maslow Businessnews and Physicians News publications published by Maslow Business News Publications, Lagos, Nigeria.

Joseph Oputa is a proud Alumnus of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.

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