Alleged Defamation: Oyo Assembly Rejects Lawmaker’s Verbal Apology

The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, rejected the verbal apology tendered by the lawmaker representing Saki West State Constituency, Mr Ibrahim Shittu, describing it as “reserved” and lacking genuine remorse.

The House said the apology fell short of the ethical standards expected of legislators.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Majority Leader, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin, had on January 20 accused Shittu of making defamatory and malicious allegations against him and the leadership of the Assembly.

Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South State Constituency, raised the issue as a matter of personal explanation during the Assembly’s first plenary sitting for 2026.

He described the allegations as a serious violation of his legislative privileges, an attack on his integrity, and a dent on the image of the Oyo State House of Assembly.

According to Adedoyin, the controversy stemmed from a speech delivered by Shittu at a public event in Saki town, which later circulated widely on social media.

Shittu had apologised for speaking based on what he admitted was inadequate information that brought disrepute to the Assembly. However, lawmakers faulted both the tone and substance of the apology.

Presenting the report of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, its Chairman, Mr Gbenga Oyekola, said both lawmakers appeared before the committee on January 22.

Oyekola said the committee reviewed relevant legislative instruments, oath of office documents and the viral video footage, adding that due process and the principles of natural justice were strictly observed.

He said Shittu’s statements were reckless, unfounded and capable of eroding public confidence in the legislature.

According to the committee, the allegations lacked credible evidence, infringed on the rights and privileges of the Majority Leader, and brought the House into disrepute.

During the debate, lawmakers from both political parties made submissions. Mr Luqman Jimoh, representing Oorelope State Constituency, to which Shittu belongs, apologised on behalf of the party and appealed to the House to temper justice with mercy.

Similarly, Mr Sola Owolabi, representing Ibadan North-East II (PDP), also called for leniency.

However, several members criticised Shittu’s apology, describing it as insincere and devoid of genuine contrition.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, said Shittu’s meeting with the Majority Leader was in line with the leadership’s directive to resolve the matter internally.

He noted that no additional evidence was produced by the petitioner during the investigation.

Ogundoyin said the bribery allegations levelled against the Majority Leader were scandalous and grave, stressing that such claims required a formal, unreserved written apology rather than a verbal expression before the House.

He, therefore, ruled that Shittu’s apology be rejected on grounds of inadequacy and lack of remorse.

The Speaker subsequently referred the matter back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action against the lawmaker.

NAN