JUST IN: ONDO COMMISSIONER, OMOWUNMI ISAAC SUES FORMER FIRST LADY BETTY AKEREDOLU OVER DEFAMATION

The Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, has taken legal action against the former First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, over what she describes as false, malicious, and defamatory statements made against her in a recent interview.

In a legal notice issued by her counsel, Gbenga Adeyemi & Co., Hon. Isaac accused Mrs. Akeredolu of making misleading and damaging remarks about her role in the Ondo State Government. The commissioner, who previously served as Director-General of the Ondo State Bureau for Public Procurement before being reassigned as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has demanded an immediate retraction of the allegations.

DEMANDS FOR RETRACTION AND APOLOGY

Hon. Isaac has issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding the following:

1. A public retraction of the said defamatory statements, to be published on www.starnews.com.ng and other media platforms that carried the interview.

2. An unreserved public apology, published in the same manner and prominence as the initial interview.

Failure to comply with these demands will result in legal action, where Hon. Isaac will seek aggravated damages for defamation, injunctions, and other legal remedies.

PUBLIC REACTIONS AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

The controversy has sparked mixed reactions across Ondo State’s political and social circles. While some have condemned Mrs. Akeredolu’s remarks as a baseless attack on a dedicated public servant, others argue that the former First Lady was merely expressing concerns about governance under her late husband’s administration.

Political analysts believe this lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences, particularly as Ondo State approaches another election cycle.

"This lawsuit exposes underlying tensions within the political class in Ondo. If it proceeds to court, it could set a major precedent for how defamation cases involving public officials are handled in Nigeria," a political commentator observed.

With the deadline for a retraction and apology fast approaching, all eyes are on Mrs. Akeredolu. If she refuses to comply, the case could escalate into a high-profile legal battle, further intensifying the political drama in Ondo State.

For now, Hon. Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac remains resolute in her fight to clear her name, vowing to ensure that justice is served against what she calls "a deliberate act of character assassination."

Below is a copy of the legal notice issued by Hon. Omo Wunmi Isaac's legal counsel: