Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last Edo State governorship election, has initiated a N500 million defamation lawsuit against Jarret Tenebe, the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.
The case, registered as LD/ADR/5731/2025, is being handled by the Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
Dr. Ighodalo’s legal team has demanded a retraction of alleged defamatory statements made by Tenebe, along with a formal apology and damages amounting to N500 million. The dispute stems from a viral video dated December 10, 2024, where Tenebe accused Ighodalo of corruption and the mismanagement of state funds.
This followed a misstep by Governor Monday Okpebholo during his presentation of a N605 billion budget proposal to the Edo State House of Assembly. In the video, Tenebe alleged, “Obaseki will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before. Asue Ighodalo will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before.”
Prior to filing the suit, Ighodalo’s lawyers from Banwo and Ighodalo had issued a pre-action notice to Tenebe on December 11, 2024. The notice called for a public apology and retraction of the statements within seven days.
However, Tenebe, through his lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, dismissed the allegations of defamation. Agbomhere stated, “Our client did not defame your client in any way, and as such, there is no need for a public apology or retraction of comments made in the alleged video.”
Agbomhere further noted that if the matter proceeded to court, Tenebe would rely on the defense of justification. He referenced the findings of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee and the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee, which he claimed implicated Ighodalo.
Ighodalo, through his lawyers, said, “The primary objective of procuring the publication of the defamatory video was to tarnish our client’s reputation.
“Since the publication of the defamatory video, our client has received numerous calls from professional colleagues, business partners and other well-meaning Nigerians, locally and in the Diaspora, inquiring as to the propriety of the allegations. Undoubtedly, this development has exposed our Client to great distress, hurt, and humiliation.”
Justice A.O. Opesanwo has fixed March 5, 2025, for a hearing.
