The family of late Ibadan political heavyweight Lamidi Adedibu has demanded N500 million in damages from filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi over a biographical film about the late politician, alleging that it contains false and damaging claims about his life and political career.
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The family, through its lawyers, Blossom Chambers, also demanded the removal of Adedibu: Alagbara Ibadan from YouTube and other social media platforms, a public apology and a written undertaking not to produce further content about the late politician without permission from the administrators of his estate.
In a letter dated October 5, the family accused the film’s producers of presenting what it described as “grave untruths, fabrications and sensational falsehoods” about Adedibu’s private life, family and political activities.
The family specifically disputed portrayals suggesting that Adedibu rigged elections through violence, used “amala politics” to enslave Ibadan residents and was a “puppet of doom”. It also accused the producers of using private family photographs, images and voice recordings without permission.
The family gave the filmmakers 48 hours to meet its demands, warning that it would institute legal proceedings at the Oyo State High Court and seek N1 billion in damages as well as a perpetual injunction if the matter went to court.
However, Oloketuyi’s lawyers, ASALAW LP, rejected the allegations in a response dated October 7, maintaining that the film was based on information already in the public domain.
“The video referred to by you is a retelling of the public life and political career of a man who, by every account, was one of the most prominent, most discussed and most documented political figures in the history of Ibadan, Oyo State and South-West Nigeria,” the lawyers wrote.
They argued that relatives of a deceased public figure do not generally need to grant permission for a historical account of the person’s public life. The lawyers also said the family had not identified specific statements it considered false or provided evidence to contradict the disputed portrayals.
The filmmakers invited the family to identify the contested statements and submit supporting evidence, while maintaining that they were prepared to defend the production against legal action.
Meanwhile, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) classified and approved the film on October 8 with a 15 rating, indicating that it was unsuitable for viewers below the age of 15. The classification does not resolve the separate dispute over the film’s content or the family’s legal claims.
Produced through Ultimate Communications and directed by Abiodun Jimoh, the film features veteran actor Lere Paimo as Adedibu, alongside Dele Odule, Segun Arinze, Afeez Oyetoro and other actors.
Adedibu, popularly known as the strongman of Ibadan politics, died on June 11, 2008. He was a prominent political figure in Oyo State whose influence extended across party structures and electoral contests.
The dispute remains unresolved, and no court has determined the merits of either side’s claims.
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