Court Summons Betty Akeredolu, Journalist Over Alleged Libel, Demands N1bn Damages and Apology in Ondo State High Court Case Filed by Finance Commissioner
Ondo State's former First Lady, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, has been summoned by a High Court in Akure, Ondo State, alongside Olumide Akinrinlola, publisher of Starnews Online Newspapers. The summons follows a petition by Ondo State Commissioner of Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, who is demanding ₦1 billion in damages for alleged libel.
The libelous statement was published in Starnews Online Newspaper on February 13, 2025, under the caption: "I Wouldn’t Be a Widow If Aketi Had Listened to Me – Betty Akeredolu Talks Tough." Isaac is also seeking a retraction of the publication and an unreserved apology in two national dailies.
The court summons, signed by Registrar Adebanjo T.A., orders Akeredolu and Akinrinlola to appear in court within 30 days, or risk judgment being given in their absence. The summons warns that failure to comply will result in the claimant proceeding with the case without their input.
The development has sparked interest in the ongoing dispute between Akeredolu and the Ondo State government. The case is expected to shed light on the limits of free speech and the responsibilities of public figures in Nigeria. As the case unfolds, many will be watching to see how the court navigates the complexities of libel law in the digital age.
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