By Sunday Ameh
The Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, and her brother, Kunle Odide, have filed a libel suit against 35 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the Ondo State High Court in Akure.
The case came up on Tuesday before Justice Yemi Fasanmi, who awarded costs of ₦100,000 against each of the claimants in favour of each of the 35 defendants after granting an application to amend defects in the court processes.
The ruling brings the total costs awarded to the defendants to ₦3.5 million.
The defendants had earlier indicated their intention to challenge the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of the suit through a preliminary objection before the claimants sought leave to amend their originating processes.
Former Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye (SAN), who is the first defendant, appeared as counsel for himself and several other defendants, while separate legal representatives appeared for the remaining respondents.
The defendants, all APC elders from the same local government area as the claimants, expressed willingness to pursue an amicable resolution to prevent further division within the ruling party.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, Olawoye said the dispute arose from a letter he wrote to the APC National Chairman in his capacity as a party member.
He said the letter was privately forwarded to the party leadership and was not intended for public circulation, adding that it merely highlighted developments within the party in their local government.
Olawoye also disclosed that the claimants had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, leading to the invitation of the defendants to Abuja in March. He noted that the police neither detained nor prosecuted them after reviewing the matter.
He urged party members to embrace reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that internal disputes should not weaken the APC’s electoral chances.
Counsel to the claimants, Olaoluwa Imoru, however, argued that the suit stemmed from an allegedly defamatory publication authored by the defendants and published in the Nigerian Tribune on February 2, 2026.
According to him, the claimants are asking the court to declare the publication defamatory, award aggravated, special and general damages, and order a public retraction and apology.
Imoru further contended that describing the commissioner as the governor’s “mummy” falsely suggested that she wielded undue influence over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Justice Fasanmi adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026, for further hearing.
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