The Ooni of Ife defamation lawsuit has taken center stage in Nigeria’s media space after the palace of the revered monarch announced plans to take legal action against social media personality King Mitchy over alleged fabricated WhatsApp conversations.
The Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has formally declared its readiness to sue King Mitchy, whose real name is Michelle Limon, following a viral video in which she displayed what she claimed were private WhatsApp messages between herself and the respected traditional ruler.
In the widely circulated footage, King Mitchy suggested that she shared a cordial and somewhat exclusive relationship with the monarch. Screenshots shown in the broadcast appeared to depict friendly exchanges, fueling speculation and sparking heated debate across several social media platforms. However, the palace has firmly denied the authenticity of the messages, describing them as digitally manipulated and deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
In a detailed press statement released through the monarch’s media office, palace officials highlighted significant irregularities in the screenshots. According to the statement, communication experts carefully examined the timestamps, font styles, interface layout, and message formatting presented in the video.
They concluded that the digital evidence did not correspond with WhatsApp’s current interface design nor align with the monarch’s documented schedule during the alleged periods of communication. Palace representatives further emphasized that the Ooni adheres strictly to official communication protocols and does not engage in informal digital exchanges with individuals he does not personally know.
The palace described the incident as a calculated attempt at clout chasing and an act of reputational sabotage targeting one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional institutions.
The monarch’s legal team has reportedly been instructed to initiate a multi million naira defamation suit. Insiders suggest that the lawsuit will not only address reputational damage but may also include claims related to impersonation, cyber fraud, and the criminal dissemination of falsified digital materials.
Sources within the palace disclosed that preliminary digital tracing efforts have identified the likely origin of the manipulated media files. Security agencies have allegedly been engaged to investigate whether the controversial content was part of a broader coordinated effort to exploit the monarch’s name for online engagement and financial gain.
Legal analysts say the case could become a landmark test of Nigeria’s cybercrime and defamation laws, particularly in situations involving traditional rulers whose reputations carry both cultural and constitutional significance.
The controversy has ignited widespread reactions across Nigeria’s digital landscape. While supporters of the influencer have called for transparency, many cultural advocates and legal professionals have condemned the alleged fabrication, stressing the importance of protecting traditional institutions from digital misinformation.
Public affairs commentators have also pointed out the growing trend of influencers leveraging sensational narratives involving high profile figures to boost visibility and engagement metrics. Analysts believe that this case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled going forward.
In its concluding remarks, the palace warned the public against relying on unverified social media content involving prominent figures. Officials reiterated that all communications from the Ooni are issued through verified palace channels, accredited press secretaries, and formal announcements rather than private messaging applications.
The monarch, widely regarded as a spiritual leader and custodian of Yoruba heritage, remains focused on youth empowerment initiatives, inter ethnic dialogue, and national unity efforts, according to palace sources.
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With the Ooni of Ife to sue King Mitchy, the unfolding legal confrontation is expected to draw significant attention nationwide. Observers say the outcome could redefine the limits of digital storytelling, influencer accountability, and the consequences of fabricating online evidence against public figures in Nigeria.
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