A businessman, Dr Akintoye Akindele has taken legal action against a rapper, Sikirullahi Olarenwaju Dabiri known as Eldee, for alleged defamatory and untrue comments.
Dr. Akindele, who serves as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Duport Midstream Company Limited, has filed a lawsuit seeking N100 billion in damages.
The allegations stem from what Akindele’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, claims were defamatory and baseless comments made by Eldee during a recent podcast.
In a letter addressed to Eldee, Akindele’s lawyer outlined that during the podcast, Eldee allegedly labeled Akindele as a fraudster, making claims that he defrauded investors and utilized their funds for extravagant lifestyles of women.
The lawyer categorically rejected these allegations as “untrue, ridiculous, and defamatory.”
“It is pertinent to state at this point that our client (Akindele) remains a law-abiding and diligent businessman for many years,” Olajengbesi said in the letter on behalf of Akindele.
“The acts complained of has not only defamed our client but has also disingenuously subjected him to public ridicule and while also relegating his status with business partners, investors, friends and family who called his attention to the said publication.”
“We are equally aware of the fact that you have recently been recruited by some cohorts and power-lodgers in the ongoing power tussle to wrestle for the management of Duport Midstream Company Limited; a company that Our Client built painstakingly and meticulously through years of diligence and commitment.
“More disconcerting is your role in this malicious publication being a beneficiary of Our Client’s generosity during a time of need. You may recall Our Client’s goodwill to you over the years when your dying career needed survival and Our Client provided you with a shoulder to lean on. Your transformation from a beneficiary to an antagonist only amplifies the gravity of your actions, suggesting ulterior motives driven by a sinister alliance.”
In response, Akindele’s lawyer demanded that Eldee issue a retraction of his alleged defamatory statements within 72 hours of receiving the letter using the same podcast.
Other demands include “an unreserved letter of apology written by you and addressed to our client; admitting the falsity of your publications and apologising for same.
“A sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (One Hundred Billion Naira) as damages for the injury caused to our client by your defamatory publication.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Eldee said he does not regret his decision to relocate to the United States because he wouldn’t have accomplished anything if he had stayed back in Nigeria.