An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, against Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami struck out the suit on Thursday, declaring it lacked merit and failed to establish any breach of rights or defamation. In a decisive ruling, the judge also ordered Adams to pay N500,000 in costs to Igboho.
What Sparked the Legal Feud?
The suit stemmed from a leaked telephone conversation from November 2021, which Adams claimed was recorded and circulated without his consent. He argued the audio portrayed him as being involved in a plot to assassinate Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor.
Adams claimed the incident violated his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and demanded N5 billion in damages as compensation.
“It is unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional for anyone to surreptitiously record the private telephone conversation of another without consent,” Adams stated in his affidavit.
Court: Affidavit Was Defective, Case Had No Merit
However, Sunday Igboho’s legal team, led by Junaid Sanusi, challenged the credibility of the affidavit submitted by Adams, pointing out that it wasn’t deposed by Adams himself or anyone with firsthand knowledge of the alleged recording.
Justice Ademola-Salami agreed, ruling that the affidavit was defective and lacked evidentiary weight. The court also noted that Adams failed to prove that the leaked audio was recorded without his consent, or that it resulted in any actionable defamation.
As a result, the case was dismissed, and N500,000 in costs was awarded in Igboho’s favor.
What’s Next?
While this judgment puts an end to Adams’ N5 billion defamation claim, the legal war between the two Yoruba figures is far from over. In a twist of events, Igboho also filed his own N500 million lawsuit against Adams earlier in 2024, accusing him of tarnishing his reputation using the same controversial audio.
That case remains pending, and all eyes are now on the next court date.
Quick Summary:
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Gani Adams’ N5bn defamation suit against Sunday Igboho dismissed
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Court ruled no proof of unlawful recording or defamation
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Adams to pay N500,000 in costs to Igboho
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Igboho’s counter-defamation case still ongoing
Stay tuned to Creebhills for updates on the unfolding legal battle between these two Yoruba Nation heavyweights.
