Man Drags Influencers Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi) and Abike Adeoye (Jagaban) To Court Over Defamation And Threat To life

A man identified as Suraju Asimiyu, popularly known as Baba Ibeji, has filed a criminal complaint at the Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, accusing two prominent social media influencers — Tolulope Odegbami (popularly known as Olowosibi) and Bashirat Abike Adeoye (Abike Jagaban) — of defamation, harassment, and threat to life.

Also joined as defendants in the case, which was filed on July 21, 2025, are Toyin Fayose, Sunday Omion, Kolawole Olamilekan, Oluwanifemi Ayomide Olayinka Segun, Yewande Alabi, and Adebimpe Alasoadura.

The case is being heard by Hon. I.S. Adeniyi, with Hon. S.H. Ajumobi also sitting on the bench. Asimiyu is being represented by his legal counsel, O.T. Jimoh, Esq.

The legal action follows months of public outcry by Asimiyu, who claims that he has suffered psychological trauma, unjust arrest, and reputational damage at the hands of the influencers, particularly following the tragic death of his wife, Foluso, in April 2024.

In an emotional appeal to human rights groups and the general public, Asimiyu recounted how his life began to unravel after Foluso’s passing.

“This suffering is too much,” he said. “Tolulope Odegbami alias Olowosibi and Abike Jagaban should leave me and my children alone.”

According to him, Odegbami had allegedly taken his late wife to a hospital in the Yaba area of Lagos where she was injected with a birth control drug without the family’s consent.

“Since that injection, my wife’s health deteriorated. She never recovered until she died,” he claimed. “She was not even a member of our family, so I don’t understand why she interfered in such a personal matter.”

Asimiyu alleged further that following his wife’s death, he was subjected to multiple arrests and detentions without trial — first in Ifo, Ogun State, and later at a police command in Abuja — orchestrated by the said influencers under false accusations, including murder.

“They didn’t allow me to mourn my wife or care for my twin children. I was locked up, humiliated, and treated like a criminal for no just cause,” he said.

His lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who filed a separate case in Abuja, criticized the Nigerian Police Force for what he described as “collusion with influencers to carry out unlawful arrests.”

“Suraju was detained for 10 days in Ifo and then transferred to Abuja, where he remained in custody without any formal charge or investigation. This was all based on fabricated allegations,” Olajengbesi stated.

According to him, an independent review showed that the young father was caught in a feud between two women-led charity groups, who turned his family tragedy into a battlefield for personal rivalry and social media influence.

“One group supported him initially, but when he aligned with another foundation, they turned against him, accusing him and the new benefactor of killing his wife,” Olajengbesi said. “This has nothing to do with justice — it’s a shameful misuse of power and platforms.”

Suraju’s elder brother, Taofeek Asimiyu, also offered insight into the depth of the conflict. He alleged that Segun — the younger brother of the deceased — had been collaborating with Odegbami in an attempt to seize custody of the twins.

“Before they got to Suraju’s house in Ifo, I had already taken the twins to my father’s place. That’s when they became desperate,” he said.

Taofeek claims he too became a target for speaking up. “They tracked my movements and sent threats. For three months, I couldn’t run my business. I had to travel to Abuja just to make sure my brother didn’t rot behind bars. All this while, my wife and I have been solely responsible for the twins’ welfare.”

The case has since attracted the attention of human rights activists and members of the public who are calling for a transparent judicial process and protection of the rights of vulnerable citizens.

“Social media must not become a weapon of oppression,” said a local civil society observer present in court. “This case is a test of whether our legal system can stand up to digital bullying, class bias, and reputational warfare.”

Further court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as the defendants respond to the charges filed against them.