Court Dismisses Gani Adams’ N5bn Defamation Suit Against Igboho

Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a N5 billion defamation suit filed by Chief Gani Adams, the Aare-Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, against activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, commonly known as Sunday Igboho.

The ruling, delivered by Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami, also included an award of N500,000 in costs against Adams in favour of Igboho.

In the case marked M/1006/2004, Adams, represented by lawyer Sikiru Akinrele, claimed that Igboho had violated his fundamental rights by allegedly recording a private telephone conversation without consent.

He argued that this breach of privacy contravened Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.Adams sought declarations stating that it was unlawful to record private conversations without all parties’ consent covertly.

“A declaration that it is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional for the respondent to covertly record and publicly release or publish the private telephone conversation between the applicant and another person, without the consent and authority of the applicant.”

However, when the case was heard on April 30, 2025, Igboho’s counsel, Junaid Sanusi, filed a counter-affidavit opposing Adams’ claims.

He highlighted that Adams did not personally submit the affidavit supporting his application, which was required by law.

The court adjourned the case until July 3, 2025, for judgment.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Ademola-Salami dismissed the suit, stating that Adams’ affidavit was defective as he had not personally deposed it or had someone authorised it.

The judge noted that Adams failed to demonstrate that his phone had been tapped by Igboho, even if the affidavit had been deemed acceptable.