LAGOS, NIGERIA – Wale Tinubu, the Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, has filed a lawsuit against Peoples Gazette, demanding N1 billion in damages over a publication regarding Oando’s acquisition of Agip’s Nigerian assets. The lawsuit, filed at a Lagos High Court, accuses the media outlet of publishing defamatory and misleading information that allegedly harmed Tinubu’s reputation.
Peoples Gazette had reported on Oando’s recent takeover of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), suggesting that the transaction involved questionable dealings. In his legal filing, Tinubu claims the report was “false, malicious, and damaging,” arguing that it misrepresented the nature of the acquisition and cast doubts on his integrity as a business leader.
The lawsuit seeks N1 billion as compensation for reputational damage, along with a public retraction and an apology from Peoples Gazette. Tinubu’s legal team insists that the publication failed to verify its claims before publishing, violating journalistic ethics and causing undue harm to his personal and professional standing.
In response, Peoples Gazette has defended its reporting, stating that it stands by the story and will contest the lawsuit. The media organization maintains that its report was based on credible sources and aimed at providing transparency regarding Oando’s business dealings.
The legal battle adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding the oil sector in Nigeria, particularly in relation to major acquisitions and regulatory oversight. As the case unfolds, it is expected to spark further debate on press freedom, corporate accountability, and the role of investigative journalism in the country.
