By Olutoyese Ibitoye Esq.
A legal practitioner, Olutoyese Ibitoye, has come to the defence of Senator Sunday Karimi, dismissing allegations by some traditional rulers in Egbe, Kogi State, as false, misleading, and defamatory.
In a statement addressing a viral video involving Oba Adedoyin and other chiefs, Ibitoye accused the monarchs of deliberately distorting facts and engaging in a campaign of blackmail against the lawmaker.
According to him, the chiefs had earlier approached Senator Karimi seeking his support for the enthronement of a preferred candidate as the Oba of Ijalu. However, the senator reportedly declined, maintaining neutrality on the grounds that all contending parties are his constituents.
The lawyer explained that tensions surrounding the Ijalu stool predated the controversy and were not connected to the senator.
He further referenced an online publication titled “Traditional Stool: Save Our Soul, Monarchs Plead with Gov Ododo to Prevail on Sen. Karimi,” which alleged that the senator interfered in traditional processes, backed a candidate, and sponsored violent attacks against some chiefs.
Ibitoye described the claims as “entirely false, malicious, and defamatory,” noting that they portrayed the senator as a sponsor of violence and a threat to security in Egbe.
He stressed that such allegations amount to defamation per se, as they imply criminal conduct without proof.
The statement added that Senator Karimi, through his legal representatives, initially sought a non-confrontational resolution by demanding a retraction and public apology within seven days. However, the chiefs allegedly failed to comply.
Subsequently, a civil suit (CV/4995/24) was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on November 12, 2024, seeking the removal of the publication, an apology, and damages.
Ibitoye clarified that the matter was strictly civil and not criminal, contrary to claims made by one of the chiefs, Chief Doyin Bolaji, who allegedly stated that they were being prosecuted in court.
He noted that the case was later withdrawn on March 18, 2025, before hearing commenced, following interventions by prominent Egbe stakeholders.
“The withdrawal was not an act of weakness but a demonstration of respect for appeals from well-meaning individuals,” the statement read.
Despite this, the lawyer expressed concern that the allegations against the senator have persisted, describing the continued claims as an attempt to damage his reputation.
He concluded that while individuals have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to making defamatory statements against others.
