Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Anglican Archbishop

The National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a defamation suit filed by a priest of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Reverend Oluwadamilola Ebenezer Kosemani, against the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, the Most Rev. Williams Aladekugbe.

Rev. Kosemani had approached the court seeking several reliefs, including the nullification of a letter dated November 11, 2024, written by Archbishop Aladekugbe to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba. He also asked for a retraction of the letter, a public apology, and N100 million as general and aggravated damages for alleged defamation.

In his judgment, Hon. Justice J. D. Peters held that the National Industrial Court, as a specialised court, lacks the jurisdiction to entertain defamation claims. The judge stated that the court cannot extend its powers beyond what is expressly provided by law.

Justice Peters upheld the arguments of counsel to the Archbishop, Otunba Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, who led a legal team that included Sir Oyewale Akinrinade, Chief Olusola Orobode, Oyewale Oyegoke, Esq., and Miss Toluwani Ogunbanjo. The defence had argued that defamation matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court.

After reviewing relevant legal authorities, the court struck out the entire suit and dismissed it.

Speaking after the judgment, Kalejaye, SAN, welcomed the decision and said it aligned with established Court of Appeal precedents on the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court. He added that the Primate of the Anglican Communion had earlier constituted a committee to resolve the dispute, but the effort was rejected by Rev. Kosemani.

When contacted, Archbishop Aladekugbe declined detailed comments on the case. He, however, expressed gratitude to God over the outcome and thanked the Primate for initiating an internal arbitration process through a committee of senior priests, which he said was not embraced by the claimant.