A student of Obafemi Awolowo University, David Ojuko, has issued a legal threat against fellow undergraduate Adeife Adewale, alleging she defamed him by falsely accusing him of ra.pe on social media
In a letter dated February 22 and signed by his lawyer, Kingsley Enekwe, Ojuko stated that Adewale, a student of the Department of English Language and Literature, made the allegation on February 17 and shared his phone number alongside the claim across social media platforms, including WhatsApp.
According to the letter, the accusation was described as false, malicious and lacking any factual basis. The legal representative maintained that the publication portrayed Ojuko as a rapist and exposed him to widespread ridicule and public contempt.
“It is our client’s brief that you, on or about the 17th day of February, falsely accused him of the criminal offence of ra.pe and proceeded to publish his phone number alongside the said allegation on social media, including but not limited to WhatsApp.
By that publication, you portrayed our client to the public as a rapist. The said allegation is entirely false, malicious, reckless, and without any factual foundation. As you are aware, an allegation of rape constitutes a most serious criminal imputation.
Your publication exposed our client to public hatred, ridicule, contempt, and opprobrium, severely injuring his reputation, integrity, and standing among family members, fellow students, professional colleagues, associates, and the general public. Following your publication, several persons privately contacted our client, directly referring to him as a ra.pist.
Although you subsequently issued an apology via a video recording, the damage occasioned by your defamatory publication remains substantial and continuing. The initial defamatory statement had already gained circulation and caused significant reputational and emotional harm before your retraction. Furthermore, the apology does not extinguish liability for the tort of defamation, nor does it automatically cure the injury occasioned by the widespread publication.”
The counsel argued that despite a later video apology from Adewale, the reputational damage had already taken root and continues to affect his client.
On Ojuko’s behalf, the lawyer is demanding N15 million in damages, citing defamation, emotional distress, reputational harm and loss of business opportunities.
“Our Client hereby demands as follows: Payment of the sum of N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) as damages for defamation, emotional distress, reputational injury, loss of business opportunities, and related harm suffered.
A written apology and full retraction, to be published prominently on all platforms (including all social media platforms and any other medium) where the defamatory allegation was originally published. Such an apology must be unequivocal and acknowledge that the allegation was false.
Immediate removal of all defamatory publications and any related content concerning Our Client from all platforms within your control.
A written undertaking that you shall cease and desist from making any further defamatory statements concerning our client.”
The letter further warned that failure to comply with the demands within 14 days would result in legal action being initiated without further notice.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
