A sports journalist in Ondo State, Mr. Femi Atolagbe, has taken legal action against a football coach, Kayode Julius, over allegations of defamation of character.
Mr. Atolagbe is suing Coach Julius following a damaging message allegedly posted by the latter on a WhatsApp group platform known as Ondostatefootballstakeholders.
The post, made with mobile number +2349126428876, claimed that the journalist had impregnated a female football player.
According to the post, Julius further attacked Atolagbe’s professional integrity, stating: “You are a quack journalist and you are responsible for the relegation of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens because of drinking habit, womanizing, giving wrong advice, planting hatred in other people, and poisoning the mind of the management against others.”
Reacting through his counsel, Mr. Atolagbe said the defamatory publication was made in a group with over 1,000 members, causing significant damage to his reputation and personal life.
“The above publication represents our client as an irresponsible person, an unqualified journalist among his colleagues, and has cast doubts in the mind of his loving wife, who now suspects her husband of infidelity.
" It has also damaged his public image,” the lawyer stated.
The counsel noted that the post has exposed Atolagbe to unwarranted ridicule and has caused both social and economic losses, threatening his career and family life.
In a formal demand letter, Atolagbe's legal team has asked Coach Julius to issue a letter of apology to their client, publish the same in The Hope Newspaper, and sponsor a paid retraction jingle on Adaba FM to air during prime time for one week.
They are also demanding a compensation sum of ten million naira (₦10,000,000.00) within seven days of receiving the letter, warning that failure to meet these demands would result in legal proceedings.
“We do hope you will respond and accede to our request within time in your mutual interest to avoid costly litigation,” the letter concluded.
The letter was signed by Femi Atolagbe’s counsel, Kariaikitei Kokowei Esq.
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