₦airaland Forum

In a dramatic legal twist, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a N5 billion defamation suit filed by Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, against popular Yoruba rights activist Sunday Igboho. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The case, marked M/1006/2004, stemmed from allegations that Igboho had unlawfully recorded and leaked a private telephone conversation involving Adams — an act Adams claimed was a violation of his fundamental rights under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Accusation
Gani Adams, through his counsel Sikiru Akinrele, argued that:

“It is unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional for the respondent (Igboho) to covertly record and publicly release or publish a private conversation without the consent of all parties involved.”

He sought N5 billion in damages, and a declaration from the court to affirm that his rights to privacy had been breached.

The Defense & Counter-Affidavit

But during the hearing on April 30, 2025, Igboho’s lawyer Junaid Sanusi filed a counter-affidavit dismissing the claims. He pointed out a major procedural flaw: Adams did not personally swear to the affidavit supporting his case — a requirement by law.

Court Ruling: Case Dismissed, Adams to Pay N500K

Delivering judgment on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami struck out the suit, labeling the affidavit as “defective” because it wasn’t deposed to by Adams himself nor an authorized representative.

Even if it had been valid, the judge stated:

“There was no evidence presented by the applicant to prove that the phone call in question was tapped or recorded by the respondent.”

In a further blow to Adams, the court awarded N500,000 in costs to Sunday Igboho, effectively ending the highly publicized case in the activist’s favor.

Why This Matters:
This ruling isn’t just a personal victory for Sunday Igboho, who remains a polarizing but influential figure in Yoruba nationalism — it’s a reminder that legal technicalities and proper filing procedures can make or break even high-stakes lawsuits.

As tensions continue between traditional authorities and modern activists, this case is likely to ripple across socio-political conversations in the South-West.

lailo:
Two yoruba sons are exercising their rights but the comments are filled with igbos who wwere expecting division and fight to finish

DUTY:
So Gani is also thinuubu lapdog? That's why Yoruba must ronu.

ExpertTaylor:
Gani Adams need money seriously. 5 billion naira law suit

lagostrendboy:
https://eyesoflagos.com/2025/07/04/court-dismisses-gani-adams-n5bn-defamation-suit-against-sunday-igboho-awards-n500k-costs/

cenaman:
No be only 5 billions Adams for make 5 trillions.

Igboho is doing in west that's what Nnamdi Kanu is doing in the east.