AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has filed a lawsuit over $5 million against the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, for libel over false corruption claims involving the importation of chicken.

Mustapha, who is also the Executive Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), through his attorneys Sanjeev Datadin and Khalif Cobin, on Monday filed the lawsuit at the Demerara High Court.

According to the statement of claim seen by this newspaper, Norton, who is the leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) party, made a statement on the APNUAFC Facebook page on December 2, 2023, accusing Mustapha of major corruption related to the smuggling of chicken.

The opposition leader alleged that the minister and other officials in the ministry were involved in illegally importing large quantities of chicken from Suriname and influencing the police to release the smuggled goods.

The Minister promptly responded with a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, refuting the claims and providing documents supporting the legality of chicken imports.

Minister Mustapha had warned Norton to withdraw the “baselessness, reckless and libelous” accusations immediately, which he did not.

The legal documents reveal that the opposition leader posted another press statement on December 3, 2023, on the APNUAFC Facebook page, reiterating the allegations of corruption and questioning the legitimacy of the minister’s response.

However, Minister Mustapha, a distinguished public figure, vehemently denies these accusations claiming that the statements made by the opposition leader are completely false and without any foundation, causing damage to his reputation and causing distress and embarrassment.

The lawsuit contends that the false statements made by the opposition leader have tarnished the Minister’s image and caused significant harm.

As such, Mustapha is seeking damages exceeding $5 million for alleged libel, aggravated and/or exemplary damages, an injunction to prevent further publication of defamatory statements, removal of social media posts, a public retraction, and legal costs.