Breaking News: IPOB Sues Ivan Sascha Sheehan Over Washington Times Publication
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| LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Demonstration of Indigenous People of Biafra at Trafalgar square on May 30, 2018 in London.. Photo Jaroslav Moravcik |
The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has officially sued Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, in a District Court of Columbia, United States of America. IPOB, a well registered organization and a globally acclaimed largest Indigenous mass freedom movement with strong presence in over one hundred (100) countries, discovered a recent Washington Times Publication as not just ridiculous but grievously malicious and defamatory.
The Executive Director of the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore, United States of America, Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, had in a Washington Times published article, described the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as "A Small African Terrorist Group", which is a brazenly compromised opinion of hate with absolutely no iota of truth.
While giving response to this provocative and grossly misleading publication titled: "USA Ignores Small African Terrorist Group - IPOB, At Its Peril", IPOB has unambiguously stated that the published Opinion completely smacks of defamation in every standard. Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan accused IPOB of violent crimes including killing of children.
The suit was initiated and filed by the Organization's International Legal Counsel, Professor Bruce Fein and was obtained by Family Writers Press International.
The suit document reads: -
Bruce Fein (D.C. Bar No. 446615)
FEIN & DELVALLE PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiffs
________________________________________________________________
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA,
a UK registered Community Interest Company,
160 London Road Barking IG11 8BB,
London, United Kingdom,
Plaintiff CASE NO:
v.
IVAN SASCHA SHEEHAN,
University of Baltimore, Baltimore,’
Maryland, UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE,
1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland, and
The Washington Times LLC, 3600 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Defendant.
___________________________________________________________________
COMPLAINT FOR DEFAMATION
Comes now Plaintiff, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), through its undersigned
attorney, and files this Complaint for defamation seeking, among other things, compensatory and
punitive damages. Plaintiff states as follows.
SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 1 of 20
1. This Court possesses subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s claims under 28
U.S.C. 1332 because the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, IPOB is a citizen of
the United Kingdom, and Defendants Sheehan and the University of Baltimore are
citizens of Maryland and Defendant The Washington Times LLC is a citizen of the
District of Columbia.
PERSONAL JURISDICTION
2. This Court possesses personal jurisdiction over Defendants under the District of
Columbia Long-Arm Statute, D.C. Code section 13-423 (a) (3) by causing tortious
injury in the District of Columbia by a defamatory publication in the District of
Columbia.
VENUE
3. Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. 1391 (b) (2) because the events that gave
rise to Plaintiff’s defamation claims occurred in the District of Columbia.
PARTIES
4. Plaintiff, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a UK registered Community Interest
Company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. IPOB’s paramount mission is
to secure a sovereignty referendum on Biafra to be organized and conducted by the
United Nations by peaceful means. IPOB’s leader is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. At present,
he is under illegal detention by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). Among
other things, Nnamdi Kanu, a UK citizen, has been counterfactually charged with
treason, i.e., levying war against Nigeria based on ancient radio broadcasts from
London which studiously refrained from encouraging or inciting violence in favor of
peaceful protests protected by freedom of speech and association.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 2 of 20
5. Defendant Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the executive director of the School of Public and
International Affairs at the University of Baltimore. On information and belief,
Defendant Sheehan is an unregistered foreign agent of the Federal Government of
Nigeria in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
6.Defendant University of Baltimore employs Defendant Sheehan. On information and
belief, Defendant University of Baltimore is an unregistered foreign agent of the
Federal Government of Nigeria in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
7.Defendant The Washington Times LLC is a newspaper company published in
Washington, D.C. responsible for publishing Defendant Sheehan’s 7 defamatory
falsehoods about Plaintiff IPOB in conspiracy with the FGN as alleged hereafter
STATEMENT OF FACTS
8. On or about Monday, October 4, 2021, Defendant Sheehan published in The
Washington Times an “ANALYSIS/OPINION” defamatory article headlined “U/S/ ignores
small African terrorist group IPOB at its peril.”
9. The article contained multiple defamatory falsehoods about Plaintiff IPOB
published with ill will and with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard of
whether they were true or not.
10. Defamatory falsehood number 1 asserted “An African terrorist organization
[IPOB] is suing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken….” IPOB is not a terrorist
organization under U.S. law or any law of a foreign country other than Nigeria. IPOB’s
designation as terrorist organization in Nigeria was made via a judicial edict with no hearing
or due process. IPOB opposes violence. It supports an independent Biafran sovereignty by
peaceful means. At present, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is engaged in an ongoing
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 3 of 20
genocide of Biafrans. Terrorist organizations employ unlawful violence against civilians to
advance political objectives. IPOB does not.
11. Defamatory falsehood number 2 asserted, in context, that IPOB deserves listing as
a foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act: “The violent secessionist group in question—the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)—is yet to be designated as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization by the US Department of State.” Among other things, an FTO listing requires
proof that the organization engages in premeditated politically motivated violence against
civilians or noncombatants. See 22 U.S.C. 2656f(d)(2); 8 U.S.C. 1182 (a) (3) (B). IPOB
does not engage in politically motivated violence against civilians or noncombatants or
otherwise and does not qualify for listing as an FTO under the laws of the United States.
12. Defamatory falsehood number 3, in context, asserted that IPOB leader Nnamdi
Kanu supports terrorism: “That [Nnamdi Kanu] feels no need to even disguise his support
for terrorism is worrisome.” But Nnamdi Kanu opposes terrorism. It is the Federal
Government of Nigeria that daily practices terrorism against Biafrans.
13. Defamatory falsehood number 4, in context, asserted that since December 2020,
IPOB has engaged in violent and escalating attacks on both Nigerian security personnel and
civilians: “Since then [December 2020] violent IPOB attacks on both security personnel and
civilians have surged by a terrifying 59%, deaths by 344%.”
14. In fact, IPOB refrains from the use of force except in self-defense. IPOB has not
attacked either security personnel or civilians since December 2020 or otherwise.
15. Defamatory falsehood number 5, in context, accused IPOB of killing the Fulani
and inciting murder of any person who rents or provides accommodations to a Fulani:
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 4 of 20
“Through Radio Biafra, IPOB regularly calls on its supporters to not only kill the Fulani, but
to kill ‘any landlord that gives accommodations or rents his house or her house to a Fulani
person.”
16. In fact, IPOB does not call on supporters to kill the Fulani. Neither does IPOB
call on its supporters to kill landlords that rent to the Fulani.
17. Defamatory falsehood number 6, in context, accuses IPOB of butchering six
young Fulani children with machetes, burning a baby alive, and discarding the corpses in
mass graves: “In one recent [IPOB] attack on a Fulani community, six young children
were butchered with machetes—one, a baby, was burned alive. Their bodies were
discarded in mass graves.”
18. In fact, IPOB did not kill young Fulani children, did not burn a baby alive, and
did not bury the putative corpses in mass graves.
19. Defamatory falsehood number 7, in context, accuses IPOB of resorting to threats
and violence to coerce politicians and civilians to surrender to its political demands:
“Whether with threats made on Biafra Radio or repeated acts of violence, IPOB coerces
politicians and civilians to acquiesce to its radical political demands.”
20. In fact, IPOB refrains from threats or violence or coercion in its political activities,
which are peaceful and protected by the universally protected rights of free speech or
association under international law.
21. Defamatory falsehoods 1-7 all falsely accuse IPOB of crimes of violence, including
terrorism, which are per se defamatory.
22. On information and belief, Defendant Sheehan conspired with the Federal
Government of Nigeria (FRN) to write and publish the 7 defamatory falsehoods in
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 5 of 20
exchange for a monetary payment or something of material value from the FRN as a
reward.
23. On information and belief, the Defendant University of Baltimore conspired with
Defendant Sheehan and the FRN to have Defendant Sheehan’s 7 defamatory
falsehoods published referencing his capacity as the executive director of the School
of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore in exchange for
money or anything of value from the FGN.
24. On information and belief, Defendant The Washington Times LLC published
Defendant Sheehan’s 7 defamatory, polemical, and counterfactual falsehoods in
exchange for money or anything of material value from the FGN. The transparent
extreme bias in Defendant Sheehan’s article and the clumsy, amateurish style are far
below the customary publication standards of The Washington Times LLC.
25. Defamatory falsehoods 1-7 all accused Plaintiff IPOB of complicity in crimes of
violence which are defamatory per se.
26. The intent and effect of defamatory falsehoods 1-7 subjected IPOB to professional
and social ostracism and curtailment of its ability to attract members and donations.
COUNT 1-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
27. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-26 as if alleged herein.
28. 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.
29. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has proximately caused damage to Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 6 of 20
30. Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 2-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
31. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-30 as if alleged herein.
32. Defamatory falsehood number 2 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.
33. Defamatory falsehood number 2 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
34. Defamatory falsehood number 2 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 3-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
35. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-34 as if alleged herein.
36. Defamatory falsehood number 3 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.
37. Defamatory falsehood number 3 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
38. Defamatory falsehood number 3 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 4-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
39. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-38 as if alleged herein.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 7 of 20
40. Defamatory falsehood number 4 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.
41. Defamatory falsehood number 4 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
42. Defamatory falsehood number 4 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 5-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
43. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-42 as if alleged herein.
44. Defamatory falsehood number 5 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.
45. Defamatory falsehood number 5 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
46. Defamatory falsehood number 5 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 6-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
47. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-46 as if alleged herein.
48. Defamatory falsehood number 6 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.
49. Defamatory falsehood number 6 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 8 of 20
50. Defamatory falsehood number 6 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 7-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT SHEEHAN
51. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-50 as if alleged herein.
52. Defamatory falsehood number 7 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.
53. Defamatory falsehood number 7 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
54. Defamatory falsehood number 7 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
Sheehan justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 8-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
55. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-54 as if alleged herein.
56. Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not,
and with spite or ill-will.
57. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has proximately caused damage to Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
58. Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 9-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
59. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-58 as if alleged herein.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 9 of 20
60. Defamatory falsehood number 2 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not,
and with spite or ill-will.
61. Defamatory falsehood number 2 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
62. Defamatory falsehood number 2 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 10-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
63. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-62 as if alleged herein.
64. Defamatory falsehood number 3 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
LLC with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or
not, and with spite or ill-will.
65. Defamatory falsehood number 3 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
66. Defamatory falsehood number 3 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times LLC justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 11-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
67. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-66 as if alleged herein.
68. Defamatory falsehood number 4 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
LLC with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or
not, and with spite or ill-will.
69. Defamatory falsehood number 4 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 10 of 20
70. Defamatory falsehood number 4 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times LLC justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 12-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
71. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-70 as if alleged herein.
72. Defamatory falsehood number 5 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
LLC with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or
not, and with spite or ill-will.
73. Defamatory falsehood number 5 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
74. Defamatory falsehood number 5 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times LLC justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 13-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
75. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-74 as if alleged herein.
76. Defamatory falsehood number 6 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
LLC with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or
not, and with spite or ill-will.
77. Defamatory falsehood number 6 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
78. Defamatory falsehood number 6 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times LLC justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 14-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
79. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-78 as if alleged herein.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 11 of 20
80. Defamatory falsehood number 7 was published by Defendant The Washington Times
LLC with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or
not, and with spite or ill-will.
81. Defamatory falsehood number 7 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
82. Defamatory falsehood number 7 was published with ill-will or spite by Defendant
The Washington Times LLC justifying an award of punitive damages.
COUNT 15-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
83. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-82 as if alleged herein.
84. Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published in conspiracy between by Defendant
Sheehan and Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its falsity
or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will.
85. Defamatory falsehood number 1 has proximately caused damage to Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
86. Defamatory falsehood number 1 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant Sheehan and Defendant University of Baltimore justifying an
award of punitive damages against Defendant University of Baltimore.
COUNT 16-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
87. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-86as if alleged herein.
88. Defamatory falsehood number 2 was published by Defendant Sheehan in conspiracy
with Defendant University of Baltimore with both having knowledge of its falsity or
with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 12 of 20
89. Defamatory falsehood number 2 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
90. Defamatory falsehood number 2 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between the University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an award of
punitive damages against the University of Baltimore.
COUNT 17-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
91. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-90 as if alleged herein.
92. Defamatory falsehood number 3 was published by Defendant Sheehan in conspiracy
with Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its falsity or with
reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will.
93. Defamatory falsehood number 3 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
94. Defamatory falsehood number 3 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an
award of punitive damages against Defendant University of Baltimore.
COUNT 18-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
95. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-94 as if alleged herein.
96. Defamatory falsehood number 4 was published by Defendant Sheehan in conspiracy
with Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its falsity or with
reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or ill-will.
97. Defamatory falsehood number 4 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 13 of 20
98. Defamatory falsehood number 4 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an
award of punitive damages against Defendant University of Baltimore.
COUNT 19-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
99. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-98 as if alleged herein.
100. Defamatory falsehood number 5 was published by Defendant Sheehan in
conspiracy with Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its
falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or illwill.
101. Defamatory falsehood number 5 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
102. Defamatory falsehood number 5 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an
award of punitive damages against Defendant University of Baltimore.
COUNT 20-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
103. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-102 as if alleged herein.
104. Defamatory falsehood number 6 was published by Defendant Sheehan in
conspiracy between Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its
falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or illwill.
105. Defamatory falsehood number 6 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 14 of 20
106. Defamatory falsehood number 6 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an
award of punitive damages against the University of Baltimore.
COUNT 21-DEFAMATION-DEFENDANT UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
107. Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-106 as if alleged herein.
108. Defamatory falsehood number 7 was published by Defendant Sheehan in
conspiracy with Defendant University of Baltimore with knowledge by both of its
falsity or with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not, and with spite or illwill.
109. Defamatory falsehood number 7 has proximately caused damage Plaintiff’s
reputation in an amount to be proven at trial.
110. Defamatory falsehood number 7 was published with ill-will or spite in conspiracy
between Defendant University of Baltimore and Defendant Sheehan justifying an
award of punitive damages against the Defendant University of Baltimore.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendants, jointly and severally
as follows:
a) For general damages as to Counts 1-21 of not less than TWO MILLION
DOLLARS as to each count or such other amount to be proved at trial;
b) For special damages as to Counts 1-21 of not less than ONE MILLION FIVE
DOLLARS as to each count or such other amount to be proved at trial;
Case 1:21-cv-02743 Document 1 Filed 10/17/21 Page 15 of 20
c) For punitive damages against each Defendant as to Counts 1-21, respectively, in
an amount to be proven at trial, but not less than ten times the amount of general and
special damages as to each count, to punish and penalize Defendants and to deter
repetition.
d) For an injunction requiring Defendants to remove all statements adjudicated
defamatory in this case from any and all websites or other digital, social media, or
hard copy platforms in their control;
e) For an injunction requiring Defendants to publish a retraction of the statements
found defamatory including a retraction published in The Washington Times;
f) For attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs in this action; and,
g) For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiffs demand a jury trial of all issues so triable in this cause pursuant to Rule 38
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Date: October 17, 2021
Respectfully submitted,
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