Isaac Fayose Sues Wike’s Aide Lere Olayinka for N200 Billion Over Defamation

Prince Isaac Owolabi Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Lere Olayinka, a former media aide and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, seeks N200 billion in damages over allegations of substance abuse.

Olayinka, who currently serves as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is accused of making defamatory statements about Fayose on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. In one of his posts, Olayinka suggested that Fayose needed medical attention due to alleged substance use and warned him to be cautious of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In response, Fayose dismissed the allegations as false and malicious, vowing to take legal action unless Olayinka could provide evidence to support his claims. The lawsuit, marked FCT/HC/GAR/2025, demands a court declaration that the statements were defamatory, a written apology from Olayinka to be published in This Day, Sun, and The Guardian newspapers, as well as an injunction preventing further defamatory statements.

Fayose is also seeking N50 billion in exemplary damages, N50 billion in special damages, and N100 billion in general damages for emotional distress and reputational harm. Additionally, he requests N20 million to cover legal fees.

The court has directed Olayinka to respond within eight days of being served the writ. Failure to do so could result in a judgment being issued in his absence. Olayinka is yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit.