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Iyabo Ojo’s Case Dismissed Over Lawsuit Error

Published on July 15, 2025

Iyabo Ojo’s case dismissed by Lagos High Court due to legal filing errors; judge rules suit invalid and fines lawyer ₦500,000

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikoyi has dismissed the ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo against her colleague, Lizzy Anjorin.

Also read: Iyabo Ojo’s Office Fire Incident Leaves Property Damaged

The court ruled that the case was invalid due to multiple legal errors in its filing.

Justice Olabisi Akinlade delivered the judgement, stressing that the lawsuit could not stand because it was not filed in accordance with required court procedures.

Ojo’s legal representative, Dr. Olabimpe Ajegbomogun, was also ordered to pay ₦500,000 in costs to Lizzy Anjorin’s lawyer, Barrister Ademola Olabiyi.

The case, registered as LD/ADR/5292/2023, was originally filed by Ojo, who claimed that Anjorin had made defamatory statements against her and demanded ₦1 billion in damages. However, the court found that the suit was flawed from the outset.

One of the major issues was the absence of a signature on a critical form that confirms pre-trial steps have been completed.

Without this signed form, the court could not proceed with the case.

The judge also found the Writ of Summons defective, stating it did not clearly outline Ojo’s claims and failed to follow standard legal format.

“Justice must be pursued with proper procedure. No matter how serious the claim, the law must be followed,” Justice Akinlade declared in court.

Anjorin’s lawyer had earlier drawn attention to several irregularities in the case file.

These included the submission of an unsigned Writ, uncertified documents, and photocopies without legal authentication.

When the court re-examined the file in April 2024, it found that the original Writ was still unsigned, which legally invalidates the entire suit.

Ojo’s lawyer argued that the issues raised were technical mistakes that could be corrected before the trial began.

Justice must be pursued with proper procedure. No matter how serious the claim, the law must be followed,” Justice Akinlade declared in court.

But the judge firmly disagreed, ruling that the unsigned Writ meant the case was never properly filed in the first place.

According to legal standards in Nigeria, the Writ of Summons is the official document that initiates a case in court.

If it lacks a signature or necessary legal details, the case becomes null.

This dismissal brings an abrupt end to a highly publicised legal feud between the two Nollywood actresses.

The defamation case had sparked widespread attention, given the public nature of their dispute and the large amount of damages sought.

Lizzy Anjorin had previously accused Ojo of various offences on social media, leading to a prolonged online feud.

The matter escalated when Ojo took the issue to court, seeking legal redress.

Now, with the case thrown out, legal experts say Ojo would have to start afresh if she intends to pursue the matter again — this time ensuring full legal compliance.

Meanwhile, the ruling adds another chapter to a string of public disputes involving high-profile Nollywood figures.

The entertainment industry in Nigeria has seen a rise in such legal battles, many of which spill over into social media debates and affect public opinion.

Even in cases involving fame and public attention, legal technicalities remain critical.