A High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has summoned former First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, and the publisher of Star News Online, Mr. Olumide Akinrinlola, following a petition filed by the Ondo State Commissioner of Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac.
The court’s ruling represents a crucial step in the case, which is anticipated to bring clarity to the allegations against the Commissioner of Finance within a 30-day period, demonstrating the court’s seriousness in addressing the allegations.
Isaac had filed a lawsuit seeking one billion naira in damages for libel contained in the Starnews Online Newspaper edition of February 13, 2025, with the headline: “I Wouldn’t Be a Widow If Aketi Had Listened to Me – Betty Akeredolu Talks Tough.”
She also prayed to the court to order the defendants, Betty Akeredolu and Akinrinlola, to withdraw or retract the publication and publish an unreserved apology in two national newspapers.
The court summons was signed by Registrar Adebanjo T.A.
“You are hereby commanded that within 30 days after service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in the Akure Judicial Division of the High Court of Ondo State in an action of the suit of the claimant, and take notice that in default of your doing so, the claimant may proceed therein and judgment may be given in your absence,” the letter reads in part.
