The Ikeja High Court has restrained Nollywood actress Mariam Muftaudeen, also known as Omo VC, from defaming the Chairman of the Lagos State Park Management Board, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
In a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the proceedings obtained by Nigerian Current on March 21, 2024, Justice M. O Dawodu made the order following Akinsanya’s ex parte application filed on March 4, 2024, through his counsel Adedotun Ajulo.
The order shall elapse after 21 days.
The application in a suit marked ID7849GCM2024 sought, among others, to prevent Ms. Muftaudeen from further publishing allegedly defamatory videos or articles about MC Oluomo pending the determination of the case.
Following the commencement of proceedings on March 14 and after hearing Ajulo, the judge granted the application.
Justice Dawodu held: “It is now hereby ordered as follows:
“1. The Respondent is hereby restrained from further releasing defamatory videos and/or further publishing libelous articles against the Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Originating Summons against the Respondent. This order shall lapse after 21 days from the date of issue.
“2. Leave is hereby granted to the Applicant to serve the Memorandum of Claim, and the Enrolled Order of the ruling of the Court delivered on 14th March 2024 on the Respondent by substituted means through the Sheriff of the Court through the Respondent’s WhatsApp Number 0706*******; through her Instagram Handle; @omovc, and by publication in a national daily newspaper.”
Case background
Muftaudeen had previously allegedly accused Akinsanya of threatening her life and that of her daughter in a lengthy Instagram post in February.
She claimed to have a daughter with Akinsanya, alleging he failed to provide for the child’s welfare and even ordered his security personnel to shoot at her during a visit to his residence.
But Akinsanya denied knowledge of any child between them, stating that they had separated about two years ago and he was unaware of any child until the recent claims surfaced.
He emphasized that such accusations were defamatory and politically motivated, especially given the upcoming elections within the transportation industry.
“I have said it before and will say it again that I am not aware of any child between Omo VC and myself. It is a political season within our industry and all sorts of things like these are inevitable but for me, this is taken too far. It is defamatory and unpleasant.” Oluomo said.
Expressing his trust in the Nigerian justice system, MC Oluomo stated his belief that the court would uphold justice based on the evidence presented.
“I am a public figure and law-abiding citizen of the country. I have proceeded to court as against the thoughts of some individuals who intentionally attach unethical conduct to my name and those who like to stereotype transport workers as people who engage in unlawful conduct due to the character of some bag eggs among us, which is inescapable of any profession.
“I don’t take laws into my hands, and I believe in the process of the court to defend my reputation.”
