Media Baron, Abiola Ogundokun files N1 Billion Lawsuit Against Oluwo + Inside the Court Papers

The Plaintiff and the Defendant, Chief Ogundokun & Oba Akanbi

It appears
the war between elder statesman and eminent Nigerian, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun and the Oluwo of Iwo Kingdom, Osun State (South West Nigeria), Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (Ilufemiloye-Telu 1) is taking a
new dimension in year 2018 as the veteran politician cum media baron approached
the court of law in the first week of the year and slammed Oba Akanbi a N1 Billion (One Billion Naira). The lawsuit was filed
at an Osun State High Court.

This was
disclosed in series of court papers obtained by Asabeafrika early in the week through a confidential source.  Ogundokun,
a former National Publicity Secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) under the regime of President Shehu Shagari and a former member of the Constituent Assembly 1977
is suing the royal father for defamation of character, malicious falsehood via
cyber bullying and reputation assassination.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi

The lawsuit
was filed at the High Court of Justice
in Osun State, South West Nigeria
(Osogbo Division) by Olayinka Osokoya of
O.A. Osokoya & Co
, the counsel to Chief
Abiola Ogundokun
on Monday, 8th of January 2018.

The Basorun Musulumi of Iwo land, High Chief Abiola Oladepo Ogundokun

Chief Ogundokun 83, a media baron and publisher of Conscience
International
Magazine have
been at loggerhead with the youthful Iwo  monarch since April 2017 when Oba Akanbi stripped Ogundokun of his traditional and Islamic titles over what he termed
‘insubordination to his rulership’ by Ogundokun.
Beginning of the War

Obanla of Iwo Land, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun

 It will be recalled that Oba Akanbi on Sunday April 30, 2017 verbally announced the
revocation of all chieftaincy titles of Ogundokun
ranging from Islamic, social and traditional titles after claiming to be the
custodian of all spheres of social sway in Iwo
land.
 Oba
Akanbi
was said to have announced to some selected chiefs at his palace that
“As the ruler and custodian of all
traditional, cultural, religious and social clubs in Iwo land, I hereby relief
him (
Ogundokun) of all his
traditional and social titles ranging from Basorun Musulumi of Iwo land, member
of Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT), Otun Balogun of Iwo land and other proposed
titles that might be accorded to him from Iwo”.

The Oluwo with Ex-Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido

The reason
for the monarch’s action is said to be rooted in bad feelings  towards Ogundokun, who allegedly advised the monarch against
serial monetization of royal titles given to subjects. (The Oba is
accused of collecting money from different sources to dish out one single
title).
But in a
swift legal reaction  by Chief Ogundokun, an Osun State High Court in Osogbo
 presided over by Justice Ayoola  granted an order
restraining Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi from removing, and, or appointing
another person as the Bashorun Musulumi of Iwo land pending
the determination of the main suit.
The court, reacting to a motion sent in by High
Chief Abiola  Ogundokun’s
lawyer, one
Barrister Soji Oyetayo on May 11,
2017 restrained the Iwo monarch from
stripping  Chief Abiola Ogundokun of
his  Bashorun Musulumi of Iwoland title and equally stopped him from appointing,
installing and turbaning  another Bashorun Musulumi of Iwo land
pending the determination of the main suit.

The judge
reviewed all the submissions of Chief
Ogundokun
including all the citations provided before arriving at the ruling.
The Monday, June 19, 2017 ruling was based on the application for motion on
notice brought pursuant to Order 38 rule
4 of Osun High Court
seeking for an
order of interlocutory injunction restraining Oluwo, Oba Abdulrasheed
Adewale Akanbi and Imam
Fatai Olododo
(Chief Imam of
Iwo Central Mosque) from installing another Bashorun Musulumi of Iwo land as the Oba
has no moral right to discredit the injunction or discretion of a religious
society.
The latest suit & matters
arising!

High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Basorun Musulumi and Obanla of Iwo land

In the new
suit, Ogundokun is demanding for One
billion Naira
only, being aggravated and exemplary damages from the
defendant—Oba Akanbi for malicious
defamation of his person, reputation and character across the world via cyber
bullying.
Ogundokun is equally asking among other
possessions, an order for the written retraction of several false allegations
made against his person by the Oluwo
in public and private spaces eg, via YouTube,
Internet and other e-platforms, with
a public apology made in not less than 4 Nigerian newspapers.

Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (Telu 1) The Oluwo of Iwo

The former
Chairman, Election Tactical Committee
of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in
Osun State is also asking the court
of law to restrain the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and his
agents from further defaming or maligning his person, reputation and character
in whatever form, either by social media, television, newspapers, magazines,
radio, blogs, YouTube, and all other electronic platforms, or online medium in
whatever form. The plaintiff is equally asking for the sum of N5,000,000,00
(Five Million Naira only) as cost of legal action.

Particulars of the New Case.

The 83 pages
Court document reads in part that:
The plaintiff
is a prominent Iwo Indigene,
Politician, Elder Statesman, High Chief, Philanthropist, Publisher and well
respected community leader of Iwo, Osun State of Nigeria, residing at Ogundokun residence, Ibajedewa
lodge
, Oloola’s compound, Iwo, Osun
State of Nigeria.

 The defendant is the Oluwo of Iwo and resides at Oluwo’s
Palace
, Iwo, Osun State of Nigeria.
The
plaintiff has contributed greatly to the development and growth of Iwo and its environs (Comprising of all
the three Local Government Areas in Iwo
land i.e, Iwo, Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa Local Governments)

The plaintiff
is also a member of the board of trustees of Iwo Central Mosque, a registered body with the Corporate Affairs
Commission (Attached with a copy of certificate of  registration signed by one Bello Mahmud with
Abiola Ogundokun’s name as  4th trustee)

The
plaintiff also avers that he was equally appointed as a member of Iwo Board of Trustees by a letter with Ref. No: ITC/R/APP/003. (Copy
attached)

 The plaintiff hereby pleads and shall rely on
the said letter as well as a series of letters of awards and recognition for
all his contribution to the development of Iwo
land
, Osun State (Series of
documents attached for confirmation)

High Chief Abiola Ogundokun with his ‘Royal son’ Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) when the going was sweet

The
plaintiff avers that because of his contribution to the development and growth
of Islam in Iwo land, the Islamic clerics from the three Local Government Areas
 in Iwo
land under the headship of the Chief Imam
of Iwo
, conferred on him the Chieftaincy title of Basorun Musulumi of Iwo land sometimes in Year 2000 and he was

Ogundokun introduces Oluwo to the Adefuyes when the going was sweet

subsequently turbaned as such by the Chief
Imam of Iwo
. The plaintiff shall, at the trial of this suit, rely on the
certificate issued in his favor when the said chieftaincy title was conferred on
him (Copies of letters signed by Sheikh
Alhaji Imran Asiru, Chief Imam of Iwo
Land/Chairman, league of Imams and Alfas in Iwo land and his Secretary, Muhamed Tajudeen Olowe, dated 8th
October & 28th October, 1999 and confirmation certificate
attached)

The
plaintiff avers that as a result of his immense and unprecedented contributions
towards the sustainable growth and development of Osun State and Nigeria as
a whole, he has received several awards and recognition in and outside the
state of Osun which includes:

¨    

The Otun Balogun of Iwo land

¨     Basorun Musulumi of Iwo land
¨     Jagun of Ajagunlaase
¨     Areago of Iwo Oke land
¨     Seriki of Iba land
¨     Apesin of Erin Osun and
¨     The jagunpote of The Source(Ile-Ife)
¨     Diamond Award by the African Communication National Development.
¨     Merit Award for Political Development of Nigeria in Security Seminars conferred on him by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in 1996;
¨     Distinguished Achievers’ Award conferred on him in 2005 by the Nigerian
Youth Organization

Chief Abiola Ogundokun, felt disappointed over Oluwo’s action and now wants redemption

¨     Nigerian Leadership and Role Model Award in 2008
¨     Award of Integrity and Anti-Corruption in 2009 and many others
The
plaintiff avers that he is a member of several International organizations such
as: The International chains of
Industrial and Technical Advertising Agencies
, (ICTA), Member, Advertising club of New York, Member, Industrial Advertising Incorporated, Member of the Association of Advertising Practitioners in
Nigeria
to mention but a few.

The Oluwo of Iwo enjoying himself inside his majestic palace allegedly built for him by High Chief Abiola Ogundokun

The
plaintiff avers that he has worked with several media and publishing firms in
and outside Nigeria which has earned
him a global image and recognition
The
plaintiff avers that as a journalist, he has worked in various places and in
different capacities to wit:
¨     Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), as a correspondent under the the Editorship of Alhaji Ayo Fagbo, he was Co-Presenter of
Hello fans of OGUN and OGUN “Eko Participant”
¨     Assistant Editor of People’s Star Press
¨     Divisional Correspondent and
Commercial representative of the defunct Sketch
and New Nigerian Newspapers in the
whole of the then Western Region of Nigeria
¨     Director of Daily Times of Nigeria

Chief Abiola Ogundokun introduces the Oluwo to ex-Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba during a public event

¨     Chairman, Niger-Park, a subsidiary of Daily
Times of Nigeria
¨     Divisional Correspondent, defunct Sketch publishing for Old Osun Division now Osun State
¨     News Translator, Reporter and
Broadcaster of the Western Nigeria Broadcasting and Television, (the very
first Television in Nigeria)
The plaintiff avers that he established in the media outfit “States
Mirror”, a monthly magazine and later established “Conscience International
Magazine” currently circulating worldwide

The plaintiff avers that as a young politician, he contested and won the Councillor-ship of Election and was sworn in as Councillor under the old Iwo Local Government Area and as a
philanthropist, he donated his salaries and allowances to the Iwo Community to enhance the growth and
development of Iwo town

The plaintiff avers that due to his kindness to the masses and
philanthropy, he was massively voted into the Constituent Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1977
The plaintiff avers that in 1994, he was also a member of the Constitutional Conference.

The plaintiff states further that in 1995/1996 he was also a member of
the Constitutional Review Panel

The plaintiff avers that in the year 1996, he was made the chairman of
the National Reconciliation Committee
of the 250 Eminent Yoruba Leaders Forum where he led a presentation on a United Nations fact finding mission to
Nigeria in Ile-Ife

The Plaintiff avers that the Defendant was appointed as the Oluwo of Iwo sometimes in the year 2015.

The plaintiff further avers that because of his love for Iwo Town, he gave the Defendant his
support both morally and financially towards his post-coronation as the Oluwo of Iwo.

Oba Adewale Akanbi & Chief Abiola Ogundokun when the going was good

The plaintiff further avers that he stood by the Defendant throughout his
trying moments and during his problem with the Oluwo-Oke of Iwo-Oke which culminated in a quasi-criminal charge
brought against him by the Oluwo-Oke of
Iwo-Oke
The plaintiff avers that he personally took the Defendant to Chief
Olusegun
Obasanjo (A former Nigerian Head of State & Elder
Statesman) when it became apparent that the Defendant might be sent to jail for
contempt of court

Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (Telu 1) ‘Can he really pay Ogundokun a billion Naira?’

The plaintiff avers that save for his intervention through Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Oluwo-Oke would
not have withdrawn the case against the Defendant.
The plaintiff avers that, however, the Defendant has been behaving
strangely after an honest advice rendered to him by the plaintiff, not to
extort money from several persons jostling for Chieftaincy titles but from
those he would confer with such Chieftaincy titles.

Chief Abiola Ogundokun takes Oba Adewale Akanbi to Ex-Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and Ambassador Sale during a public outing

The Plaintiff avers that this piece of advice did not go down well with
the Defendant as he subsequently and purportedly announced that he has been
stripped and/or removed from all the chieftaincy titles in Iwo land, including the Basorun
Musulumi of Iwo land
The plaintiff avers that upon becoming aware of his purported removal, he
instituted an action at the High Court of
Justice
, Oshogbo challenging the
action of the Defendant.
The plaintiff states further that he equally filed a motion on notice for
interlocutory injunction restraining the Defendant, his servants, agents or
privies from appointing, installing and/or turbaning another person as Basorun Musulumi of Iwo land pending the
determination of the suit and same was granted by the court.

High Chief Abiola Ogundokun set to battle Oba Adewale Akanbi for character assassination
The plaintiff hereby pleads and shall rely on the processes filed in the
suit as well as the Certified True Copy of the Enrollment of Order.
The plaintiff avers that the defendant did not just stop at threatening to
strip him of his chieftaincy titles but called several people including Iwo chiefs to the palace where he said
series of uncomplimentary and defamatory things against the plaintiff which the
defendant recorded in a video and uploaded on the internet (Plaintiff attached
series of online sources/platforms where defendant deformed his character &
maligned his reputation)

Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi with one of Chief Abiola Ogundokun’s friends, Chief Alani Bankole

The plaintiff avers that the videos have gone viral. That he (Plaintiff)
will lead evidence at the trial of this action through living witnesses who
reside within and outside Osun State
to show the far reaching negative effects of the libelous publication, which is
the subject of this action and the monumental damage it has unleashed on the
plaintiff in all its ramifications, including the odium, contempt and ridicule
brought upon him as an astute politician, elder statesman, High Chief,
Philanthropist, Publisher and well respected community leader, and business
executive which cut across state boundaries.

High Chief Abiola Ogundokun introducing Oluwo to Chief Bola Ajibola when the going was sweet between the two

The Plaintiff avers that his friends and admirers from all over Nigeria and beyond have made contacts
with him expressing disappointment over the malicious defamation of the
plaintiff’s reputation by the defendant.
The Defendant knew or must be taking to know that the plaintiff could not
have done all the Defendant claimed he did.

The Oluwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi spraying one of Chief Ogundokun’s daughters during a wedding bash inside Chief Ogundokun’s house in 2016

The Defendant has threatened to continue to spread defamatory publication
against the plaintiff and unless restrained, he would carry out his threats.
(Plaintiff provides a translated copy of series of defamatory
interviews/comments/chats where Defendant ridicule and destroyed reputation of
plaintiff).
Chief Ogundokun’s Prayers

The Plaintiff, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, ‘Was the one who annulled MKO Abiola’s June 12 election?’

Chief Abiola Ogundokun is demanding ONE BILLION NAIRA for
aggravated and exemplary damages as a result of the several insulting and
public comments made against him by the Oluwo
of Iwo
, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi on several online mediums
including YouTube, Whatsapp, Facebook, and Newspapers.
The Irony of Dateline!

The Obanla of Iwo Land, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun and Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi when the going was good

Ironically, Chief Ogundokun
filed his charges against the Oluwo
exactly a year after Oluwo gave him
the Oba
Nla of Iwo land
title (The highest title in Iwo land) which is equally
a subject of contest in the new case.
Ogundokun was announced the Oba
Nla of Iwo land
via a letter signed by the Oluwo on January 8, 2017 (Copy attached with court papers).
Ogundokun’s new battle with the Iwo monarch is equally coming two
months after several eminent members of the Iwo
Board of Trustee
(IBOT) resigned their appointment over what they termed
‘Overbearing attitude’ of the monarch.
Drama of New Suit

High Chief Abiola Ogundokun…Very angry with the Oluwo

The lawsuit is full of drama and suspense as several of the Oluwo’s 
YouTube remarks/interviews/jester
and other actions against his subject, Chief
Abiola Ogundokun
were translated & transcribed by Dr. J. A. Ogunwale an Associate Professor of the Department of Linguistic and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife (OAU). The abuses were
dramatically lined out and translated in both English and Yoruba language to reflect the innuendos, mockery, and
drama of the gestures of Oba Adewale
Akanbi
while lampooning Abiola
Ogundokun
in various instances and available chances.
  It appears this is the first time in history,
that such an academic boldness will be brought into a case as meticulous as the
Ogundokun versus Oluwo royal war.
Some of the documents equally revealed the way and manner the youthful Oluwo who recently clocked 50 treats or addresses his elderly subjects. For instance, in one of the letters written to Chief Abiola Ogundokun where the Oluwo appointed him as a member of the Iwo Board of Trustee, the Oba adressed Ogundokun, 83, who is old enough to be his father  (Ogundokun’s first child is 52) as “My Dear
Son”. The letter with Ref: No:
ITC/R/APP/03
was a blatant expression of how the Oluwo treats his elderly subjects, referring to them as his
children or something lower in substance.
Other Prayers by Chief Abiola
Ogundokun…

The Plaintiff High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Did he really stole ‘Dundun’ in Modern School according to the defendant?

Chief Ogundokun is equally asking the court of law
to defray the impression created by the Oluwo
of Iwo
in several of his online outbursts that:
¨     He (Ogundokun) stole Roasted Yam (Dundun) while in Modern School as purported by Oba Akanbi in one of his YouTube videos
¨     That Chief Ogundokun was responsible for the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election won
by his bosom friend, the late Basorun MKO
Abiola
. The Oluwo claimed Ogundokun in conjunction with the
military establishment of that era annulled the election.
¨     That Ogundokun thwarted MKO
Abiola’s
dream of becoming President of Nigeria
¨     That Ogundokun was equally the one who scuttled the dream/chance of one Barrister Eniola Atanda an Iwo indigene from becoming the first
civilian Governor of Osun State
¨     That Ogundokun purchased a stolen vehicle and sold same to Atanda thereby rendering Atanda’s pedigree obsolete.
¨     That Ogundokun was equally the one who ruined the success of Professor Wole Soyinka during the time he was managing the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)
¨     That Ogundokun is not just a criminal but a dubious person who thwarted
the chances of the Yoruba Nation at several political instances for his own
selfish interest
¨     That Ogundokun is a dishonest and dishonorable person that cannot be
trusted at any level
¨     That Ogundokun is a man of dubious character, an evil genius or a devil
incarnate who derives pleasure in sending people to jail.

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