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OAU Student Demands N15m, Public Apology From Colleague Who Accused Him Of Rape

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedFebruary 23, 2026

A student of Obafemi Awolowo, David Ojuko, has threatened legal action against a fellow student, Adeife Adewale, who he claimed falsely accused him of rape.

Ojuko, in a letter through his counsel, Kingsley Enekwe, said Adewale, a student of the department of English Language and Literature, on February 17, falsely accused him of a criminal offence of rape and proceeded to publish his phone number alongside the said allegation on social media.

The letter dated February 22, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, said the allegation was false, malicious, reckless and without any factual foundation, adding that Adewale’s publication exposed his client to public hatred and ridicule.

The counsel noted that even though the accuser had issued an apology, the damage occasioned by her defamatory publication remained substantial and continuing.

“It is our client’s brief that you, on or about the 17th day of February, falsely accused him of the
criminal offence of rape and proceeded to publish his phone number alongside the said allegation on social media, including but not limited to WhatsApp.

By that publication, you portrayed our client to the public as a rapist. The said allegation is entirely false, malicious, reckless, and without any factual foundation. As you are aware, an allegation of rape constitutes a most serious criminal imputation.

“Your publication exposed our client to public hatred, ridicule, contempt, and opprobrium, severely
injuring his reputation, integrity, and standing among family members, fellow students, professional colleagues, associates, and the general public. Following your publication, several persons privately contacted our client, directly referring to him as a rapist.

“Although you subsequently issued an apology via a video recording, the damage occasioned by your defamatory publication remains substantial and continuing. The initial defamatory statement had already gained circulation and caused significant reputational and emotional harm before your retraction. Furthermore, the apology does not extinguish liability for the tort of defamation, nor does it automatically cure the injury occasioned by the widespread publication,” the letter reads in part.

The counsel, on behalf of his client, demanded the sum of N15 million as damages and a written apology as well as full retraction of the said post.

“Our Client hereby demands as follows: Payment of the sum of N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) as damages for defamation, emotional distress, reputational injury, loss of business opportunities, and related harm suffered.

“A written apology and full retraction, to be published prominently on all platforms (including all
social media platforms and any other medium) where the defamatory allegation was originally
published. Such an apology must be unequivocal and acknowledge that the allegation was false.

“Immediate removal of all defamatory publications and any related content concerning Our Client
from all platforms within your control.

“A written undertaking that you shall cease and desist from making any further defamatory statements concerning our client,” the letter added.

The letter noted that if the accuser failed to comply with the demands within 14 days, legal proceedings would be instituted against her without further notice.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.