The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, has given online news platform NaijaOnPoint 48 hours to pull down a publication alleging N397 million in irregular payments and N434 million in unretired cash advances in the university.
Ogunsola, through her solicitors, Bayo Osipitan and Co., described the report titled “Citadel of Criminals: Under VC Folashade Ogunsola, UNILAG Staff Pocketed N397million In Irregular Payments While N434million In Cash Advances Went Unretired,” as false, misleading, malicious and injurious to her personal and professional reputation.
The demand, contained in a cease-and-desist letter dated October 2026 and signed by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, said the publication wrongly associated the Vice-Chancellor with alleged financial infractions by unidentified staff and portrayed her as a dishonest administrator who condoned misappropriation of public funds.
The lawyers said their client categorically denied engaging in, authorising, participating in or knowingly facilitating any criminal conduct or financial impropriety.
According to the solicitors, while the Vice-Chancellor does not object to legitimate investigative journalism, fair comment and responsible reporting on matters of public interest, she takes exception to what they described as baseless allegations and unverified conclusions presented as established facts.
They argued that the publication conveyed a false impression that Ogunsola presided over an institution populated by criminals and condoned the misappropriation of public resources.
The legal representatives maintained that the publication was defamatory and actionable under Nigerian law, adding that the intentional transmission of false messages capable of damaging a person’s reputation could also attract sanctions under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, as amended.
Consequently, they demanded that NaijaOnPoint, within 48 hours of receiving the letter, immediately remove the publication from its website and all social media platforms under its control.
They also demanded an unequivocal retraction and public apology with prominence and visibility comparable to the original publication.
Other demands include an undertaking to cease further publication, reproduction or circulation of the allegations and a written commitment to take corrective measures to prevent their republication.
The solicitors warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 48 hours would leave their client with no option but to institute civil proceedings against the company and all persons responsible for the publication.
They further disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor had instructed them to seek N1 billion in damages should the matter proceed to court.
The proposed claims include N500 million in general damages and another N500 million in exemplary damages over the alleged defamatory publication.
The suit would also seek a declaration that the publication was defamatory and maliciously injurious, an order compelling its removal from the website and social media platforms, and a perpetual injunction restraining further publication of the allegations.
The lawyers also indicated that their client could refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and possible prosecution.
As of the time of this report, there was no indication in the letter that NaijaOnPoint had complied with the demands or issued a response to the legal notice.