Defamation: Oyo SDP Guber Candidate Demands N5 Billion From Party Chairman

The Oyo State Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate, Michael Lana, has demanded N5 billion from Michael Okunlade, the state's party chairman.

Lana who contested under the banner of the SDP in the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election stated that he is demanding the sum over alleged defamation and inciting statements from Okunlade 

Lana in a letter dated March 20 by his counsel, Ola Adeosun and addressed to Okunlade said Okunlade defamed his character in an interview he granted a national newspaper by accusing him of collecting money from Governor Seyi Makinde in order to support him for his re-election bid. 

The SDP governorship candidate added that in the interview which circulated in an online newspaper based in Ibadan and on various social media platforms, the SDP chairman described him as a rogue, lacking in integrity, stating that he knew that the assertion was false.

In the letter titled, “Publication and Circulation of Defamatory and Inciting Statements against Mr. Michael Folorunsho Lana. Demand for retraction and payment of Compensation”, Lana stated further that apart from misinforming the general public, especially the mass of young lawyers and younger generation of politicians who see him as a role model in terms of integrity.

Lana alleged that Okunalde painted him as a corrupt and irresponsible person that cannot be trusted by anybody in the interview. 

According to the SDP governorship candidate, it is important for Okunlade to know that in passing out information on anybody, such must be factual, credible and truthful, hence he must pay for his indiscretions.

While insisting on dragging the SDP chairman to court within three days of receiving the letter and meeting his demands, Lana also demanded retraction of the offensive statements to be published in a national daily, internet and prominent social media platforms.