Court dismisses Gani Adams’ ₦5bn defamation suit against Sunday Igboho

By Adejayan Gbenga –

An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has dismissed a ₦5 billion defamation and privacy rights suit filed by Chief Gani Adams, Aare-Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, against Yoruba activist Chief Sunday Igboho.

Adams had alleged that Igboho unlawfully recorded and published a private telephone conversation without his consent, thereby violating Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami ruled that the supporting affidavit was defective, as it was not personally deposed to by Adams or an authorised representative. The judge also stated that Adams failed to prove that his phone was tapped by Igboho.

The court awarded ₦500,000 in costs against Adams in favour of Igboho.