Ondo State Commissioner for Finance Omowunmi Isaac and her brother Kunle Odide have initiated a libel lawsuit against 35 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, with the first hearing held on Tuesday at the Ondo State High Court in Akure. Justice Yemi Fasanmi, presiding over the case, ordered each claimant to pay N100,000 in costs to each of the 35 respondents after the claimants sought to amend defects in their originating court processes. This means the two claimants collectively owe up to N7 million in costs if paid to all respondents.
Background of the Dispute
The suit stems from a publication in the Nigerian Tribune on February 2, 2026, which the claimants allege is defamatory. According to Olaoluwa Imoru, counsel to the claimants, the publication falsely portrayed Commissioner Isaac as having undue influence over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa by describing her as the 'mummy' of the governor. Imoru stated that the passage in question wrongfully suggested Isaac exerted improper control over the governor, damaging her reputation and that of her brother.
Former Ondo Attorney-General Adekola Olawoye, who is representing himself and some of the other respondents, traced the controversy to a letter he wrote to the APC national chairman. Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Olawoye said the letter was a legitimate communication made in his capacity as a party member and was never intended for public circulation. He added that the claimants later petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, leading to the respondents being invited to Abuja for questioning in March 2025. However, Olawoye noted that the police neither detained nor charged any of them after the invitation, and that efforts to resolve the matter out of court have already been attempted.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
During the hearing, the respondents signaled their intention to file preliminary objections challenging both the jurisdiction of the court and the overall competence of the suit. Justice Fasanmi adjourned the case to October 8, 2026, for further hearing. All parties involved in the dispute, both claimants and respondents, originate from the same local government area, adding a layer of local political complexity.
The claimants are seeking a court declaration that the publication is defamatory, along with aggravated, special, and general damages for harm to their reputation. They also request a public retraction and a formal apology from the respondents. Imoru emphasized that the suit is necessary to clear the commissioner's name and restore her standing.
Broader Implications
This lawsuit highlights the heightened political tensions within Ondo State's APC, especially as the 2026 election cycle approaches. The N7 million in court costs—if enforced—could set a precedent for how legal fees are handled in defamation cases involving public officials. Former AG Olawoye reiterated that the respondents remain open to a settlement, suggesting that an out-of-court resolution is still possible despite the contentious start.
Commissioner Isaac, a key figure in Governor Aiyedatiwa's administration, has faced previous scrutiny over her influence. The case will be closely watched as it unfolds, with potential implications for political discourse and media reporting in the state.
