Adedibu family and filmmaker in dispute over biopic as producer rejects ₦500 million demand

The family of the late Ibadan political figure, Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, and filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi are in a disagreement over the film Adedibu: Alagbara Ibadan. This film is about Adedibu’s life and career.

The family wants the film taken down, a public apology, and ₦500 million in damages. They claim the film was made without their permission and shows false and damaging portrayals of Adedibu.

But Mr Oloketuyi denies these claims and will not pull the film. He says it is based on information already in the public eye.

Mr Oloketuyi created the film through Ultimate Communications, and Abiodun Jimoh directed it.

Promotional materials said the film would premiere on the Libra TV YouTube channel on 4 October. But legal documents from both sides show a video named Adedibu Latest Movie 2026 was published on 3 October.

The film tells the story of Mr Adedibu’s life, his rise in politics, his relationships, and his influence in Oyo State.

Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday showed the conflict started soon after the film was available for public viewing.

Family’s grievance

On 5 October, a letter sent to the manager and producer of Libra Channel from Blossom Chambers stated she was acting for Adedibu’s estate and family.

The lawyers claimed the filmmakers made and released the film without consulting the family or getting their consent.

They accused the filmmakers of showing what they called “grave untruths, fabrications and sensational falsehoods” about Adedibu’s private life and political career.

According to the letter, the family did not agree with the film’s portrayal of Mr Adedibu’s early years, family life, and personal lifestyle, stating it made him look morally corrupt.

They also disputed claims in the film that he rigged elections through violence, used “amala politics” to control the people of Ibadan, and was a “puppet of doom.”

The family called these portrayals harmful twists on Mr Adedibu’s political activities as a grassroots mobiliser.

The lawyers said the filmmakers did not interview family members or access their archives. They also claimed that images, voice recordings, and private family photos were used without permission.

Family’s demands

The family then demanded the film, including its excerpts, clips, and reuploads, be taken down from YouTube and other social media.

They also asked the producer to keep all raw footage, sources, and scripts safe. They want him to stop making any documentaries, films, skits, or social media posts about Mr Adedibu without the estate’s written consent.

The lawyers also asked for a three-minute apology to be published on the same YouTube channel, pinned for 30 days, and another apology in the Nigerian Tribune within seven days.

They asked for ₦500 million as damages for what they called invasion of privacy and injury to the family’s reputation.

The family gave the producer 48 hours to comply with the demands. They threatened to report privacy and defamation complaints to YouTube and petition the Inspector-General of Police’s Cybercrime Unit, as well as take legal action at the Oyo State High Court if he did not comply.

They said the court action would seek ₦1 billion in damages and a permanent ban against the filmmaker and his associates.

Filmmaker rejects claims

In a response on 7 October, the producer’s lawyers, ASALAW LP, dismissed the family’s claims and demands.

The law firm said the family’s letter did not point out a specific statement in the film that was false or provide evidence against any of the disputed portrayals.

“The video referred to by you is a retelling of the public life and political career of a man who, by every account, was one of the most prominent, most discussed and most documented political figures in the history of Ibadan, Oyo State and South-West Nigeria,” the lawyers wrote.

They argued that newspapers and magazines had reported similar events shown in the film, and that books, academic publications, and public debates had talked about them.

“Every fact depicted in the video is in the public domain,” the response stated.

The producer’s lawyers said Nigerian law does not usually require filmmakers to get permission from relatives of a dead public figure before making a historical or political account of that person.

They also said the family had not pointed out any photograph, recording, or material over which it had ownership rights. They rejected the family’s privacy claims, saying the film focused on Adedibu’s public life instead of private matters.

The producer’s lawyers also argued that the family cannot sue for defamation of a deceased person, as none of the disputed statements were about the surviving relatives.

They maintain these arguments, and a court has not yet ruled on them.

Open offer

Even with their rejection of the demands, the filmmakers offered the family a chance to identify any information they think is wrong.

The producer’s lawyers asked the family to provide, within seven days, the exact statements being disputed, their timestamps, meanings, and evidence showing that they were false.

They also asked for proof that the lawyers had the authority to act for all those named as clients.

The filmmakers said they would consider any properly supported complaint but warned they would defend the production against any legal action.

They also noted they would submit a counter-notification if the family filed a complaint with YouTube.

According to the response, the producer would seek compensation for lost revenue and reputation if the film was taken down based on claims he considered untrue.

NFVCB approval

The National Film and Video Censors Board later classified and approved the film.

A classification certificate from the NFVCB seen by PREMIUM TIMES lists the title as Adedibu, names Mr Oloketuyi as the producer, and rates it 15, meaning it is not suitable for viewers below that age.

The certificate, numbered 061286, was dated 8 October, four days after the planned premiere and three days after the family’s demand letter.

The NFVCB requires films and videos to be classified before they can be shown to the public in Nigeria.

The certificate shows the film’s regulatory classification and approval but does not settle the dispute over its content accuracy or the family’s legal claims.

Producer issues public notice

In a separate notice, Ultimate Communications addressed online claims that it asked for money to make the biopic.

The company denied asking anyone for funds before or after making the film and called any such claim false and misleading.

It stated that they had documented the allegations and reported them to their lawyers, who will consider legal action against anyone spreading such claims.

Ultimate Communications described Adedibu: Alagbara Ibadan as a tribute to a significant political figure and said it was made to share his story.