BREAKING: Court Dismisses Olalekan Fatodu’s Defamation Suit Against Sowore, SaharaReporters for Lack of Evidence

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed a long-running defamation lawsuit filed by Olalekan Fatodu and his firm, Leeman Communications Limited, against activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, citing lack of proof.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala struck out the suit on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, ruling that the claimants failed to demonstrate that the allegedly libellous publications were communicated to a third party — a legal requirement to establish defamation.

The case, initiated in 2017, stemmed from SaharaReporters’ reports alleging Fatodu’s involvement in contracts linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd.). Fatodu had demanded ₦101 million in damages, a public apology, and a perpetual injunction, but the court found no evidence to support his claims.

Stanley Imhanruor, counsel for Sowore and SaharaReporters, explained that the plaintiffs presented no third-party witnesses, nor did they prove that the reports were published to anyone beyond themselves.

“The foundation of the libel case collapsed,” Imhanruor said. “They lost completely. The court dismissed the suit.”

During the proceedings, the defence argued that the reports in question were based on public records and government disclosures concerning the misuse of public funds and contracts awarded through ONSA.

They referenced official documents, including a list released by the Federal Government in 2016 that named Leeman Communications as one of the companies allegedly involved in the scandal. The defence maintained the publications served public interest and were grounded in verifiable information.

Background

In 2017, the legal dispute was sparked after SaharaReporters published claims that Fatodu acted as a front for former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode in the alleged diversion of public funds.

Fatodu responded by attacking Sowore in Lagos and later filed a petition to the police, alleging blackmail and threats. Sowore was briefly detained but denied the allegations, claiming the arrest was part of a coordinated plot to silence him.

Fatodu also accused Sowore of demanding ₦200 million to withhold a damaging report — a claim Sowore dismissed as baseless and lacking evidence. He insisted he never demanded or received bribes for news coverage.

Efforts by Fatodu to escalate the case, including a petition to then-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode seeking Sowore’s eviction from his office, were ultimately unacknowledged by the state government.

With this ruling, Sowore and SaharaReporters have now been cleared of all legal liability in the matter.