Court Rules Accuser Must Defend Against Defamation Charges

Court Rules Accuser Must Defend Against Defamation Charges: The Lagos Division of the Federal High

Court, on Wednesday, ruled that Bola Aseyan, the lady who levelled false rape allegations against UK-based

doctor Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, has a case to answer for allegedly defaming her ex-boyfriend with intent

to cause him harm.

Sometime in June 2020, Ms Aseyan claimed in a thread of tweets that Mr Ogunsanya, a social media influencer,

had raped her and emotionally abused her while she was staying with him in the UK.

The two were romantically involved before their relationship fell apart.

Mr Ogunsanya had endured humiliation and revocation of his medical licence over the period

of three years it took the UK Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) and UK Metropolitan Police to investigate the rape allegations.

The Court

It was finally determined in July 2023 that Ms Aseyan’s sexual assault accusations could not be proved as she was inconsistent in her account of the alleged rape and didnt have sufficient evidence to buttress her claims. Consequently, the UK medical tribunal cleared Mr Ogunsanya of any wrongdoing and restored his licence to continue practising medicine.

The doctor’s victory in the UK strengthened his case in Nigeria, where he sued Ms Aseyan for defamation, cyberstalking with intent to cause him harm and put his life at risk.

But Ms Aseyan tried to wriggle her way out of the lawsuit by making a “no case submission.” She denied tweeting that her ex-boyfriend raped her.

Justice Peter Lifu, after taking the addresses of the opposing parties on Wednesday, ruled that Ms Aseyan has a case to answer, throwing out her no-case submission.

Mr Lifu adjourned the matter till April 16 for further hearing when Ms Aseyan was anticipated to open her defence against the defamatory charges.