Betty Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State and widow of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has been summoned by a High Court in Akure over an alleged libel case.
She was summoned alongside Olumide Akinrinlola, publisher of Starnews Online Newspapers, following a petition filed by the Ondo State Commissioner of Finance, Omowunmi Isaac.
Isaac is demanding N1 billion in damages for libel contained in the February 13, 2025, edition of Starnews Online, which was titled: “I Wouldn’t Be a Widow If Aketi Had Listened to Me – Betty Akeredolu Talks Tough.”
In her suit, the commissioner also urged the court to compel Betty and Akinrinlola to retract the publication and issue an unreserved apology in two national newspapers.
The court summons, signed by Registrar Adebanjo T.A., states: “You are hereby commanded that within 30 days after service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in the Akure Judicial Division of the High Court of Ondo State in an action of the suit of the claimant, and take notice that in default of your doing so, the claimant may proceed therein and judgment may be given in your absence.”
In February, Qed.ng reported that Betty Akeredolu had declared in an interview with Starnews that she would not have been a widow if her late husband had followed her advice.
She criticised the former governor’s deep religious beliefs, stating, “What came out of their mountain climbing, ‘blessed’ handkerchiefs, water, olive oil, etc., from the GOs and all the noisy prayers like people possessed by demons? If Aketi had listened to me, I wouldn’t be a widow.”
Speaking on the current administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, she described it as “rudderless.”
When asked about claims that the finance commissioner was the one running the government, she responded, “No comments. However, it’s worth noting that this same commissioner was sacked from her position during Aketi’s first administration.
“You can connect the dots as to why Lucky brought her back. We are watching.”
