Akmode Transport Limited has demanded the immediate withdrawal and public retraction of a press release issued on August 30, 2026, alleging that the publication portrayed the company as an “unapproved” or unlawfully operating entity in Ogun State.
The demand was contained in a letter issued by Bolarinwa Odeyale & Co., solicitors to Akmode Transport Limited, and addressed to the relevant government office.
According to the lawyers, the press release and its subsequent republication conveyed the impression that Akmode Transport was an illegal or unlawfully operating organisation, lacked lawful recognition to conduct its activities in Ogun State, and operated in defiance of government regulatory authorities.
The law firm argued that the allegations were capable of causing serious damage to the company’s integrity, credibility, commercial reputation and relationships with its members, commercial motorcycle operators and government institutions.
The lawyers particularly took exception to the fact that the statement emanated from the office of the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor, arguing that this gave the allegations an appearance of official government authority and credibility.
Lawyers cite existing court judgment
A major part of the letter centred on Suit No. AB/390/2018, which the solicitors said resulted in a subsisting judgment of the High Court of Ogun State.
The lawyers contended that the judgment expressly ordered the Ogun State Government, its agents, privies and persons acting on its behalf to accord Akmode Transport Limited “due and necessary recognition” as a Nigerian corporate entity and not to discriminate against it.
They therefore described the subsequent government press release as being inconsistent with the subsisting judgment.
According to the letter, portraying Akmode Transport as an “unrecognised” or “unapproved” entity was “irreconcilable” with the court’s order.
The solicitors further argued that the government could not, on one hand, be bound by a court judgment requiring recognition of the company and, on the other hand, have one of its senior officials publicly describe the company in terms that allegedly undermine that recognition.
24-hour ultimatum issued
Akmode Transport, through its lawyers, issued a 24-hour deadline for compliance with its demands.
Among the demands are the immediate withdrawal and retraction of the August 30 press release insofar as it concerns Akmode Transport Limited, as well as an unequivocal written and public apology over statements allegedly portraying the company as “unapproved,” unauthorised or illegally operating.
The lawyers also demanded that the government publicly acknowledge the subsisting judgment in Suit No. AB/390/2018 and clarify that the High Court ordered the Ogun State Government and persons acting on its behalf to accord the company due and necessary recognition.
They further demanded that the retraction and clarification be transmitted to all media organisations to which the original press release was circulated, with a request that the correction be published with prominence reasonably corresponding to the original publication.
The company also demanded that the government immediately cease and desist from making, authorising, circulating or procuring further statements inconsistent with the court’s judgment.
Threat of contempt and defamation proceedings
The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated 24 hours would lead the company to pursue “every lawful remedy” available to it.
The solicitors said their instructions included taking appropriate steps to enforce the subsisting judgment and commence contempt proceedings against persons and/or officials alleged to have knowingly participated in, authorised, encouraged or facilitated conduct inconsistent with the court’s decision.
They also disclosed that Akmode Transport would commence appropriate proceedings for defamation of its corporate and business reputation.
The lawyers stated that the widespread republication of the disputed statements could be relied upon as evidence of the extent of publication, the alleged reputational damage, foreseeability of republication and aggravation of damages.
They warned that continued publication of statements allegedly inconsistent with a court judgment could demonstrate a level of recklessness that, in their view, could not reasonably be characterised as an innocent mistake.
The letter concluded with a strong warning that the 24-hour period should be treated as final, adding: “A stitch in time saves nine!”
A copy of the letter was also addressed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State Ministry of Justice, Abeokuta, and was stamped received by the Ministry’s Attorney-General’s Office on September 1, 2026.