Defamation: Oyo Mesi threatens to sue Makinde

Over Alaafin stool

A faction of kingmakers, who opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of Oba Abimbola Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, yesterday, threatened to sue the governor when his immunity expires.

Claiming that the governor had defamed them for saying they collected money during the selection process, they said the governor should have sought redress in court if he had a grouse against them.

Recall that Governor Makinde had presented the staff of office to Alaafin at the Executive Chamber of the governor’s office which five out of seven Oyomesi members took exception to because they had initially recommended Prince Luqman Gbadegesin for the Alaafin stool.

The governor also said at the event that he would not allow a highly revered throne of Alaafin to be commercialized.

Referring to the governor’s comments, the kingmakers, in a letter by their counsel, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, described the claims as “unacceptable.”

Instead of allegedly defaming them, they advised the governor to tender any evidence he has against them in court and “refrain from his campaign of calumny” against their personalities.

They further said in the letter that the governor is liable to prosecution for the “defamatory acts committed by you in office and that he may be held to account when his immunity expires.”

The letter reads: “We recognize Your Excellency’s right to defend your actions in court, given the ongoing legal challenge to your recent decision.

“However, we respectfully remind Your Excellency that the court is the appropriate forum for presenting evidence and arguments.

“The Oyomesi, in their respect for the high office of the Governor of Oyo State, have refrained from joining issues with you in the public arena. It is, therefore, disheartening that Your Excellency continues to make public statements that cast aspersions on their integrity.

“We urge Your Excellency to refrain from resorting to a trial by media or the court of public opinion in a bid to confer legitimacy on recent unlawful acts of the state, under your command.

“If there is any evidence to support these allegations, we respectfully advise that it should be brought before the court, where it can be properly examined and addressed.

“Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who are custodians of tradition and highly respected in the Oyo Kingdom, undermines not only their reputation but also the sanctity of the ongoing judicial process and defamatory of our clients.”