Gani Adams slams N5bn suit on Igboho for publishing private conversation

Gani Adams, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, has initiated legal action against Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, commonly known as Igboho, in an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. The suit alleges that Igboho recorded and publicly shared a private phone conversation between Adams and another individual without his permission.

Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, filed the case, labeled M/1006/2024, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights. He claims that Igboho’s actions have caused him considerable harm in his capacity as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

In his Motion on Notice, dated October 15, 2024, which was obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, Adams requested a declaration affirming his right to privacy concerning his home, correspondence, phone calls, and telegraphic communications.

He also sought a court ruling stating that “it is unlawful and unconstitutional for anyone to secretly record a private phone conversation between other parties without their consent and authority.”

Adams further alleged that Igboho’s act of sharing this private conversation on social media was malicious and a serious infringement on his right to privacy. He requested that the court recognize the act of broadcasting the private conversation without his consent as a significant violation of his constitutional rights as outlined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended). He described the action as calculated to inflict severe damage to his esteemed position as Aare Ona Kakanfo.

Additionally, Adams is seeking N5,000,000,000 (five billion naira) in general and exemplary damages for what he claims is a reckless violation of his constitutionally protected rights.

In a supporting affidavit comprising 13 paragraphs, Adams stated, “In April 2024, the respondent appeared on social media, alleging he had a recorded private conversation between myself and Mr. Nurudeen Banjo, who resides in the United States.”

He noted that since then, Igboho has repeatedly and maliciously attacked him in both traditional and social media, accusing him of being a political thug, mercenary, murderer, and fraudster based on the content of the recorded conversation.

Adams concluded that the unauthorized public disclosure of his private conversation, recorded without his consent, has not only violated his fundamental rights but has also led to significant embarrassment among many Nigerians.