Renowned Nigerian rapper, Sikirullahi Olarenwaju Dabiri, famously known as Eldee, is currently facing the repercussion of his actions as he has been hit with a staggering N100 billion defamation damages. This substantial penalty comes as a result of his defamatory statements targeted at businessman Dr. Akintoye Akindele.
Akindele, who serves as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Duport Midstream Company Limited, took legal action against Eldee after he was unjustly portrayed as a fraudster during a podcast hosted by Teju Babyface on August 15, 2023. During the podcast, Eldee accused Akindele of duping investors and misappropriating their funds to sustain his extravagant lifestyle.
In response, Akindele's attorney, Pelumi Olajengbesi, expressed that the allegations made by Eldee were not only groundless and ludicrous, but also maliciously damaging. The lawyer emphasized that Akindele has maintained a reputable and diligent standing as a businessman over the years.
Olajengbesi's letter addressed to Eldee stated, "The acts complained of has not only defamed our client but has also disingenuously subjected him to public ridicule and while also relegating his status with business partners, investors, friends, and family who called his attention to the said publication. We are equally aware of the fact that some cohorts and power-lodgers have recently recruited you in the ongoing power tussle to wrestle for the management of Duport Midstream Company Limited, a company that our client built painstakingly and meticulously through years of diligence and commitment."
"More disconcerting is your role in this malicious publication being a beneficiary of our client’s generosity during a time of need. You may recall our client’s goodwill to you over the years when your dying career needed survival, and our client provided you with a shoulder to lean on. Your transformation from a beneficiary to an antagonist only amplifies the gravity of your actions, suggesting ulterior motives driven by a sinister alliance," the lawyer added.
Olajengbesi demanded that Eldee rectify the harm caused by retracting his defamatory statements via the same podcast. The lawyer granted Eldee a 72-hour window starting from Friday to comply, or else face legal consequences.
Among the lawyer's additional demands were: "An unreserved letter of apology written by you and addressed to our client; admitting the falsity of your publications and apologising for the same. A sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (One Hundred Billion Naira) as damages for the injury caused to our client by your defamatory publication."
