Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has secured a judicial victory in her fundamental human rights enforcement suit against Polance Media Limited, publishers of Naija News, over the publication of a false and injurious report alleging a romantic involvement between her and Senator Dino Melaye.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. LD/177818MFHR/2024, titled “In the Matter of an Application by Adunni Adewale for the Enforcement of Her Fundamental Human Right to Privacy as Guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” Justice I.O. Harrison of the Lagos State High Court upheld the applicant’s claims, declaring that the publication in question constituted an unlawful violation of her constitutional right to privacy.
The case originated from a story published by Naija News in January 2023, captioned “Six Popular Nigerian Actresses Who Have Been Accused of Dating Dino Melaye.” Adunni Ade was listed among the individuals mentioned in the report. The actress contended that the publication was false, misleading, and defamatory, asserting that it was published without consent and for the purpose of generating web traffic at the expense of her reputation and emotional well-being.
In granting reliefs sought, the court found that the publication unjustifiably interfered with the applicant’s private life, thereby breaching her rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Justice Harrison, in the preamble, noted that although judgment delivery was delayed beyond the constitutionally prescribed three-month period due to administrative disruptions following the #EndSARS protests, such delay did not occasion a miscarriage of justice.
Following the ruling, Ms. Ade expressed gratitude to her counsel, Olumide Babalola LP, acknowledging his diligence in securing the outcome. In a public statement on Instagram, she wrote:
“I won my case — a false story was published about me, but truth stood tall. This judgment reaffirms that privacy matters — and so does integrity. Justice delayed isn’t justice denied.”
She further hinted at ongoing defamation proceedings against other individuals, cautioning those evading service of court processes to prepare for legal accountability.
The judgment has been hailed as a landmark affirmation of the constitutional right to privacy and a warning to digital publishers and media outlets against the dissemination of unverified or injurious personal information.#newsafro_
