…Demands N1bn over defamatory publication

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has threatened legal action against an online news platform, NaijaOnPoint, over a report alleging that university staff received N397 million in irregular payments, while N434 million in cash advances remained unretired.

Ogunsola, through her solicitors, Bayo Osipitan & Co., accused the media organisation of publishing false and defamatory allegations that allegedly portrayed her as complicit in financial misconduct at the university and is demanding N1 billion in compensation, comprising N500 million in general damages and N500 million in exemplary damages.

In a cease-and-desist letter addressed to the platform’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, the Vice-Chancellor’s lawyers argued that the publication created the impression that their client a dishonest university administrator.
They stated that the publication conveyed the impression that their client was “a fraudulent and dishonest Chief Executive who also presides over the affairs of a University that is populated by criminals.”
The legal team, however, maintained that Ogunsola had no involvement in any criminal activity or financial impropriety, insisting that she neither authorised, participated in nor knowingly facilitated such conduct.

“Our Client categorically denies allegations or insinuations of having been engaged in, authorised, participated in, or knowingly facilitating criminal conduct and/or financial impropriety,” the lawyers stated.
While acknowledging the importance of investigative journalism and public scrutiny of government-funded institutions, the solicitors stressed that responsible reporting must be distinguished from the publication of unverified allegations as established facts.
Consequently, the lawyers demanded that NaijaOnPoint immediately remove the publication from its website and all social media platforms under its control.

They also demanded an unequivocal retraction and public apology to the Vice-Chancellor, insisting that the apology must enjoy “prominence and visibility comparable to the original publication.”
The media organisation was further directed to provide a written undertaking not to republish the allegations and to take corrective measures to prevent their further circulation.
The solicitors warned that failure to comply within 48 hours of receiving the letter would result in legal proceedings against the company and other persons allegedly responsible for the publication.