Otedola Slams ₦1 Billion Lawsuit on Ex-Vice President Sambo’s Aide

Reacting to Sani’s accusations, Otedola emphasised that he has always acted in the interest of truth and accountability. He described Sani’s claims as “false, baseless, and a shameless attempt to pander to lies and rewrite history.”

“I have nothing to hide, and I have always acted in the interest of truth and accountability. Those who benefited from subsidy fraud know themselves. I will not sit back and allow falsehood to be written into history,” Otedola stated.

He urged Sani and other critics to read his recently launched book, “Making It Big”, which details his business journey and involvement in Nigeria’s energy sector, and “study the facts” before making accusations.

Sani had accused Otedola of “feigning moral superiority” in the ongoing duel between Dangote Refinery and DAPPMAN. According to Sani, Otedola’s comments on the issue are hypocritical given his alleged involvement in subsidy-related controversies in the past.

But Otedola maintains that his public stance on subsidy reform and transparency is consistent with his long-held views on accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The fuel subsidy scandal remains one of Nigeria’s most infamous corruption cases. Under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, investigations revealed that billions of naira were fraudulently claimed by marketers as subsidy payments for petroleum products that were never delivered.

Otedola had been a central figure in exposing part of the scam in 2012 when he engaged in a controversial sting operation with the House of Representatives’ Fuel Subsidy Committee, led by Farouk Lawan. The case, which dominated headlines for years, became a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-corruption discourse.

The lawsuit marks one of the most high-profile defamation cases involving a Nigerian billionaire and a former government aide. Legal analysts say it could set a precedent for how influential figures defend their reputations in an era of widespread misinformation on social media.

For Otedola, the case also represents a stand against what he calls “cheap propaganda” and attempts to “rewrite history” by linking him to corruption he says he has always opposed.

The announcement of the ₦1 billion lawsuit has sparked debate across Nigeria’s political and business circles. While some observers support Otedola’s move as a necessary step to protect his reputation, others argue that public figures should be more tolerant of criticism given their influence.

On social media, the story has trended under hashtags like #OtedolaLawsuit, #SubsidyFraud, and #UmarSani, with users divided over whether the businessman’s legal action will succeed in court.

Beyond the lawsuit, Otedola continues to advocate for transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He has called on the Federal Government to publicly release the subsidy claims report, which he says will expose the true beneficiaries of Nigeria’s decades-long subsidy regime.

He argues that until the names of those who benefitted from fraudulent subsidy claims are published, false accusations and historical distortions will persist.

As the case proceeds, legal experts predict that it will test Nigeria’s libel and defamation laws, especially in the context of social media and online publications. If Otedola wins, it could signal a shift toward greater accountability for public statements made against prominent individuals.

The outcome may also influence how business leaders engage in public policy debates without fear of reputational damage from unfounded allegations.