Following the Edo State governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, representing the Peoples Democratic Party, has taken legal action against Jarret Tenebe, the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, by filing a defamation suit amounting to N500 million.
The lawsuit, identified as LD/ADR/5731/2025, was initiated at the Lagos State High Court located at the Tafawa Balewa Square. Ighodalo is seeking a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement made by Tenebe, an apology, and damages totaling N500 million.
In response to a video where Tenebe accused Ighodalo of corruption and financial misconduct, Ighodalo’s legal team had previously issued a pre-action notice to Tenebe on December 11, 2024, demanding an apology and retraction of the statement within seven days.
In a letter from Tenebe’s lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, the demand for a retraction was denied, asserting that there was no defamation. The letter mentioned potential defenses based on reports from the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee and the Edo State Asset Verification Committee.
Ighodalo is seeking a court order for Tenebe to apologize within seven days of the judgment delivery. The legal team representing Ighodalo highlighted the impact of the defamatory video on their client’s reputation and the subsequent distress and humiliation caused.
A hearing on this matter has been scheduled for March 5, 2025, before Justice A.O. Opesanwo.