A member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, has rejected claims linked to a pre-action notice served on the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, over alleged defamatory remarks.
The notice, issued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Victor Opara, was written on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Magodo Property Development Company Limited, Mr. Lai Omotola. It demanded a public apology and the payment of ₦5 billion in damages for alleged slanderous statements.
Opara alleged that Senator Bamidele described Omotola as a “land grabber” and a “fraudulent person” during a telephone conversation with Faleke on January 12, 2026. The lawyer claimed the call was placed on speakerphone at Faleke’s Lagos residence and was allegedly overheard by several people.
However, Faleke has distanced himself from the allegation, insisting that no such statements were made. His counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), stated that Faleke denied any involvement in or knowledge of the alleged conversation, noting that the response was issued strictly for record purposes.
According to Opara, the alleged remarks falsely imputed criminal conduct to Omotola and exposed him to public ridicule, hatred, and contempt, thereby causing significant reputational damage and straining his relationships with associates, including Faleke.
The pre-action notice also detailed a long-running dispute over a prime property located at No. 24 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Opara maintained that the land belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria and was legally leased to Magodo Property Development Company for 99 years after the payment of ₦1.152 billion.
The company reportedly took possession of the property without interference until Kaplan Properties Limited allegedly emerged, claiming ownership based on a title said to have been issued by the Lagos State Government. Opara argued that the title was invalid, as the state lacked the legal authority to allocate the land.
The lawyer further alleged that Kaplan Properties, with the alleged backing of Senator Bamidele, enlisted the police to forcibly remove Magodo Property Development Company from the property, despite the dispute being civil in nature.
This police intervention, Opara said, prompted Omotola to approach the Federal High Court in Lagos, which subsequently ordered the police to vacate the premises. He noted that the court order remains valid and has not been overturned or set aside.
Despite the subsisting court order and a pending case at the Lagos State High Court, Opara alleged that attempts to seize the property through police involvement had continued, describing such actions as unlawful and an abuse of power.
While expressing surprise at the alleged involvement of Senator Bamidele—given his “sterling record in public service”—Opara said the available facts appeared to support Omotola’s claims.
On the defamation allegation, Opara argued that the statements attributed to the Senate Majority Leader amounted to slander actionable without proof of actual damage, as they allegedly suggested the commission of a crime under the Lagos State Properties Protection Law.
The letter demanded an unreserved written apology to Omotola within 14 days, with a copy sent to Faleke, and the payment of ₦5 billion in compensatory damages within 21 days. It warned that failure to comply would result in legal action, with damages potentially exceeding the stated amount.
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