Tobias Sylvester
Popular blogger, Linda Ikeji has slammed the law firm of Olaniwun Ajayi LP for obtaining 25m damages against her over an article she published on her blog about its client, Ajibola Ajayi, the daughter of former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi.
Linda Ikeji vs Ajibola Ajayi
In 2017, the blogger had reported that the ex-governor’s daughter had described the protesting LAUTECH students as a “Generation of Mannerless Children.”
“The mother of twins said this on Instagram after a video surfaced that showed Governor Abiola Ajimobi talking down on the students went viral,” the blog claimed.
Shortly after the report, Ajibola denied making such a statement, noting that the Instagram page “conceited_csj” through which the comment was made, does not belong to her.
In 2018, the late governor’s daughter through her lawyer, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, sued the blogger for defamation at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Olaniwun Ajayi LP Wins Agaisnt Linda Ikeji
Taking to its Twitter page on Thursday, April 14, 2022, the law firm announced that it has successfully represented Ajibola before the court and obtained N25m damages against the blogger
The tweet reads, “Olaniwun Ajayi LP is happy to have successfully represented Mrs. Ajibola Ajayi, the Claimant in Suit No. FCT/CV/667/2018: Mrs Ajibola Ajayi v. Linda Ikeji in an action filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“In the action, the Claimant had sued Ms. Linda Ikeji in respect of the defamatory article published in the latter’s blog, www.lindaikejisblog.com on 15.01.17 and 17.01.17 which cited Mrs. Ajibola Ajayi as having described protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, as a “generation of mannerless children” in an Instagram post with the username “conceited_csj”.
“In the judgment delivered on 12.04.2022, the Court held that the publication by Ms. Ikeji was false and malicious and that the evidence before the Court showed that the Defendant knew that the Instagram account with the username “conceited_csj” did not belong to the Claimant.”
“The Court further held that the publication was made available to readers worldwide which exposed the Claimant to ridicule by members of the public who read the offending article.
“In reiterating the trite principle of law that libel is actionable per se, the Court awarded general and exemplary damages in the sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million Naira) against Ms. Linda Ikeji and directed Ms. Ikeji to publish a written apology to the Claimant in three National tabloids.
“The Claimant was represented in the action by our Ogunmuyiwa Balogun; and it is our belief that with Judgments like this, media outfits and members of the public will verify sources of their information ahead of publication.”
Linda Ikeji Slams Olaniwun Ajayi LP
Reacting on her Twitter page, the blogger called the law firm ‘an idiot’ lawyer, ‘inexperienced 26 years old’, saying that Olaniwun Ajayi LP had filed the same case in both Lagos and Abuja High Courts and also claimed the firm had not informed her of the case.
Linda tweeted, “Lol. You’re such an idiot lawyer. I hear you’re an inexperienced 26 year old? How can you file in Lagos and Abuja on the same issue? And then you don’t even inform me? Hope you’re ready for appeal and supreme court? And a countersue? Tell your client to get ready!
“Also if you’re using my name to catch clout like this on social media, gloating and happy… does this mean I’m the biggest client your firm has ever sued and won against? Or is this how you announce all your victories? I should sue you for using my name like this.”
Lol. You're such an idiot lawyer. I hear you're an inexperienced 26 year old? How can you file in Lagos and Abuja on the same issue? And then you don't even inform me? Hope you're ready for appeal and supreme court? And a countersue? Tell your client to get ready! 🤣🤣🤣
— Linda Ikeji (@lindaikeji) April 14, 2022
Also if you're using my name to catch clout like this on social media, gloating and happy… does this mean I'm the biggest client your firm has ever sued and won against? Or is this how you announce all your victories? I should sue you for using my name like this 😂😂😂
— Linda Ikeji (@lindaikeji) April 14, 2022
KanyiDaily recalls that Punch editor, John Abayomi had also threatened to sue Linda Ikeji following an article in which she claimed he is the owner of the famous Instagram news platform, Instablog9ja.
