An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, against Yoruba rights activist Sunday Igboho. The suit was struck out on July 3, 2025, with the court also awarding ₦500,000 in costs against Adams in favor of Igboho.
The suit arose from allegations that Igboho unlawfully recorded and leaked a private telephone conversation involving Adams without his consent, which Adams claimed violated his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
Adams sought a declaration that the recording and publication of the call were unlawful and demanded ₦5 billion in damages for the breach of his fundamental rights.
During the hearing on April 30, 2025, Igboho’s lawyer, Junaid Sanusi, challenged the suit on procedural grounds, highlighting that Adams did not personally swear to the affidavit supporting his case, nor was it sworn by an authorized representative—a legal requirement. The court found this to be a major procedural flaw, rendering the affidavit defective.
Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami ruled that the affidavit was invalid for this reason and further noted that even if the affidavit had been valid, Adams failed to provide any evidence that Igboho recorded or leaked the phone conversation. The judge stated, “In the absence of any convincing proof that the defendant tapped the claimant’s phone or recorded a private conversation, the court has no grounds to grant the reliefs sought.”
The dismissal of the suit marks a significant legal victory for Sunday Igboho and underscores the importance of adhering to proper legal procedures in high-profile cases. The ruling also highlights ongoing tensions between traditional authorities and modern activists within the Yoruba socio-political landscape.
The court’s decision effectively ends the case, with Adams ordered to pay ₦500,000 in legal costs to Igboho.
