Appeal Court Rules Against Mo Abudu in High-Profile Libel Suit

The Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the dismissal of media entrepreneur Mo Abudu’s libel claim against child rights advocate Oluyemisi Wada. A three-judge panel unanimously confirmed the lower court’s May 2019 decision. Abudu had sought ₦1.4 billion in damages, along with a public retraction and apology, after a 2009 opinion article alleged diversion of charity funds. The court held that proving publication alone is not enough to establish defamation without evidence of reputational harm among third parties. Judges also rejected allegations of malice and backed Wada’s defences of fair comment and justification. They noted the issue involved public interest in transparency over donated funds. The appeal was dismissed in its entirety, with no order on costs.

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