Lagos Court Dismisses Iyabo Ojo’s ₦1 Billion Defamation Suit Against Lizzy Anjorin.
A Lagos High Court in Osborne, Ikoyi, has dismissed a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo against her colleague Lizzy Anjorin due to procedural irregularities. The ruling, delivered by Justice Olabisi Akinlade, brings a significant turn in the widely followed dispute between the two actresses, which has captivated Nigeria’s entertainment scene since 2023.
The case, registered as LD/ADR/5292/2023, arose from Ojo’s allegations that Anjorin made defamatory remarks about her on social media. Ojo initially sought a public apology and ₦500 million in damages, later increasing the claim to ₦1 billion when Anjorin failed to comply. The accusations centred on Anjorin’s online posts, which included claims about Ojo’s alleged ties to controversial blogs, her personal relationships, and other damaging insinuations, some indirectly referencing Ojo as “Sepeteri.”
Anjorin’s legal team, led by Barrister Ademola Olabiyi, successfully challenged the lawsuit on technical grounds, arguing it violated mandatory pre-action protocols under the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules. A key issue was the lack of a signature on the Form 01 Statement of Compliance accompanying the Writ of Summons, rendering the suit invalid. The defence also noted that the original Writ was unsigned, and the submitted copy was an uncertified photocopy, further weakening the case.
Justice Akinlade ruled that the unsigned Writ at the time of filing constituted a “fatal procedural error,” deeming the suit incompetent. The court struck out the case and ordered Ojo’s lawyer, Olabimpe Ajegbomogun, to pay ₦500,000 in costs to Anjorin’s counsel. Anjorin celebrated the ruling on Instagram, proclaiming, “Iyabo Ojo’s ₦1 billion lawsuit against Lizzy Anjorin is dismissed!” She also used the platform to taunt gossip blogs she accused of fuelling the conflict.
Ojo, in response, clarified via an Instagram video that the court session was an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) hearing, not a full trial. She stated, “We have not started any proper case. The judge advised us to settle amicably, but Lizzy continued her attacks.” Ojo accused Anjorin of intensifying the feud by targeting her family, including her children and partner, and claimed Anjorin had taken their names to a herbalist for spiritual harm. She warned that Anjorin would be held accountable if any harm befell her family, adding, “I’ve been waiting for you to mention my name directly.”
The feud, sparked in 2023 by Ojo posting a humorous video mimicking Anjorin, has escalated through public exchanges, including allegations of cyberbullying and personal attacks. Despite a brief reconciliation facilitated by Justice Akinlade in June 2024, the conflict has flared up again, with both actresses trading accusations online. The dismissal has divided fans, with some lauding Anjorin’s legal win and others arguing the technical ruling sidesteps the core of Ojo’s grievances.
Industry voices have called for calm, with a veteran Yoruba film producer urging the actresses to resolve their differences privately to avoid further public fallout. As the legal chapter closes for now, the ongoing saga between Ojo and Anjorin shows no signs of resolution, leaving fans and observers wondering whether peace can be restored or if the dispute will continue to unfold in courtrooms and on social media.
