The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has lost the ₦5 billion defamation suit he filed against Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, as the court not only dismissed the case but also ordered him to pay ₦500,000 as legal costs.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.
Adams had approached the court, accusing Igboho of defamation and alleging that his private telephone conversation was unlawfully recorded and made public, which he claimed injured his reputation as the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland.
Through his lawyer, Sikiru Akinrele, Adams demanded ₦5 billion in damages and sought a declaration that the alleged recording was illegal, unconstitutional, and an infringement on his right to privacy.
But Igboho’s lawyer, Junaid Sanusi, challenged the suit, arguing that the application was defective as Adams failed to personally depose to the affidavit supporting his claims.
The court upheld Igboho’s argument, ruling that the affidavit was invalid, as it was not sworn to by Adams or anyone directly authorised by him.
In his judgment, Justice Ademola-Salami dismissed the case for lack of merit and described Adams’ claims as unsubstantiated. The judge also awarded ₦500,000 in favour of Sunday Igboho as compensation for legal expenses.
The court further ruled that Adams could not prove his telephone line was tapped by Igboho, even if the affidavit had been valid.
Adams was absent during the proceedings, and his legal team was not present in court when the verdict was delivered.
