Ex-councillor defends N500m libel suit by chairman

The claimant is also asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, or associates from further publishing any statements, articles, letters, press releases, or notices concerning him.

According to an affidavit attached to the suit, Ogunlewe described the third defendant, Ganiyu Oyebanjo, as a former Supervisory Councillor on Revenue in Kosofe Local Government. He identified Ibrahim Oyebanjo as Ganiyu’s brother and Ashiroff Oyebanjo as his son.

Ogunlewe alleged that between January 2024 and March 2025, several publications emerged from petitions authored by the third defendant and submitted to anti-graft agencies, which he described as “falsehoods” that malign his reputation.

He further claimed that the contents of the petitions portrayed him as a corrupt politician and fraudster, thereby damaging his image and political standing.

However, in their statement of defence, the defendants denied all allegations of wrongdoing, except admitting that petitions were indeed written to the EFCC and ICPC.

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The third defendant maintained that the petitions were submitted in good faith and in line with his public duty, stating that they addressed actions he reasonably believed contravened existing laws and required investigation.

He argued that his actions were carried out under his authority as a Supervisory Councillor in Kosofe Local Government, in accordance with Section 5.3 of the Guidelines on Administrative Procedure for Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, 2015.

The defendants also denied publishing any defamatory material or portraying the claimant as a corrupt individual, fraudster, or criminal, as alleged.

They urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as incompetent.

Among their grounds, they argued that the petitions to anti-graft agencies were protected by absolute privilege.

They also contended that the court lacks jurisdiction under the Freedom of Information Act 2011, which protects disclosures made in the public interest concerning mismanagement, abuse of authority, or threats to public safety.

Additionally, the defendants argued that the suit does not disclose any reasonable cause of action.

In his reply, Ogunlewe insisted that while the defendants have the right to petition relevant authorities, such actions must not include false and defamatory statements.

He maintained that the alleged dissemination of libellous claims has caused significant harm to his personal reputation and political interests.