By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The simmering political tensions in Kosofe Local Government have intensified, with Honourable Femi Oyeshile, Leader of the 8th Legislative Assembly, formally denying allegations of defamation levelled against him by Honourable Bariwu Sulaimon.
READ MORE: Kosofe Councillor Threatens Legal Action Over Defamation
In a letter dated August 18, 2025, and issued through his lawyers, Raines & Sunset Legal Practitioners, Oyeshile dismissed the claims as “misconceived, unfounded and misleading.” The correspondence, addressed to Rotimi Seriki (SAN), counsel to Sulaimon, provided a point-by-point rebuttal of the allegations.
The dispute, according to the letter, stemmed from a land transaction in which Sulaimon agreed to sell a parcel of land for ₦800,000, before later demanding an additional ₦200,000—bringing the total to ₦1 million. Ownership disputes and subsequent pressure from the Kosofe Legislative House reportedly forced Sulaimon to refund the ₦1 million to Oyeshile’s client.
Oyeshile’s lawyers maintained that his involvement was purely in his capacity as Leader of the Assembly and in the best interest of the council, not an act of personal malice. “At no time did our client malign, slander, or defame Honourable Sulaimon,” the statement read.
The rebuttal also cited a meeting in July 2025 at the residence of Chief Bushura Alebiosu, where the matter was said to have been resolved in the presence of party leaders, councillors, and other stakeholders.
On claims that his emergence as Assembly Leader was manipulated, Oyeshile’s lawyers argued that he was duly nominated, returned unopposed, and elected in line.
SEE LETTER
Letter-Femi-Oyeshile-lawyer-1