A High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has ordered Oba Adetoye Alatishe, the Gbengande of Ososa, to pay N500 million in damages to Dr. Sulaiman Adegunwa. The court found the traditional ruler guilty of defaming the respected industrialist and philanthropist.
Justice E.O. Osinuga, who presided over the case on April 11, 2025, also instructed the monarch to apologise publicly. The apology must appear in three national newspapers: Punch, ThisDay, and The Nation.
Damaging Allegations Spark Legal Battle
The case began after Oba Alatishe wrote a petition in 2019 to then-Governor Ibikunle Amosun. In the letter, he accused Adegunwa of planning to demolish the newly rebuilt Gbengande Market. He claimed the industrialist wanted to build a new palace there and convert the current one into a town hall.
Oba Alatishe also sent the letter to top officials, including commissioners and the state police chief. City People Magazine and Obanta Newsday later published the petition.
Court Rejects Claims Based on Hearsay
Justice Osinuga criticised the monarch for relying on unverified sources. “Kabiyesi admitted that unnamed people gave him the information but refused to name them,” the judge said. The court ruled that the statements damaged Adegunwa’s image and lacked any credible evidence.
The judge added that the monarch acted irresponsibly by refusing to apologise after being contacted by Adegunwa’s lawyers. This refusal led to the lawsuit.
Legal Consequences and Further Orders
Besides the N500 million in damages, the court imposed a N500,000 litigation cost on the monarch. It also granted a perpetual injunction to prevent any future defamatory statements from Oba Alatishe against Dr. Adegunwa.
Adegunwa, a recipient of the national OFR honour and the Asiwaju of Ijebuland, had initially demanded N5 billion in damages. He also sought a retraction and an official apology.
Although the final award was lower, the court affirmed that the libel caused serious harm to his reputation.
