Gani Adams Takes Legal Action: N5bn Lawsuit Against Igboho for Unauthorized Phone Recording
Gani Adams, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, has initiated legal action against Sunday Adeyemo, commonly known as Igboho, in an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. The lawsuit stems from Igboho’s alleged unauthorized recording and public disclosure of Adams’ private phone conversation with another individual.
Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, filed the suit, labeled M/1006/2024, to enforce his fundamental rights, claiming that Igboho’s actions have caused him significant distress in his esteemed position.
In a Motion on Notice dated October 15, 2024, which was obtained in Osogbo, Adams sought a ruling affirming his right to privacy concerning his home, communications, and telephone conversations. He argued that it is both unlawful and unconstitutional for anyone to secretly record private conversations without the consent of all parties involved.
Adams further contended that Igboho’s publication of the recorded conversation on social media was not only malicious but also a grave violation of his right to privacy. He requested a declaration that this act constitutes a serious infringement of his rights as protected under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Additionally, he is seeking N5 billion in general and exemplary damages for the alleged breach of his constitutional rights.
In a supporting affidavit, Adams detailed that in April 2024, Igboho publicly claimed to have a recording of a private conversation between Adams and Mr. Nurudeen Banjo, who resides in the United States. Since then, he accused Igboho of launching repeated and malicious attacks against him on various media platforms, branding him as a political thug and other derogatory terms based on the contents of the recorded conversation.
Adams concluded that the unauthorized release of his private conversation has not only infringed upon his fundamental rights but also caused him considerable embarrassment among many Nigerians.
