Nollywood actress Adunni Ade has won her privacy lawsuit against a media outlet that linked her to Senator Dino Melaye in a false dating story. The Lagos High Court awarded her ₦20 million in damages, ruling that the publication violated her privacy rights and misrepresented her image.

The lawsuit began after the platform published a story on January 18, 2023, naming Adunni among actresses allegedly dating the politician. The actress described the claim as completely false and harmful to her reputation. She filed a case, arguing that the publication placed her in a “false light” — a legal term used when someone’s identity is portrayed in a misleading or offensive way.

Adunni said the report caused her emotional distress and damaged her public image. She also pointed out that her name and photos were used without permission, breaching her constitutional right to privacy and provisions in the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.

In their defense, the publisher argued that her photos were taken from her public Instagram page. However, Justice Ibironke Harrison dismissed that argument, ruling that public access to a photo does not mean the media can use it to spread false claims. The court ordered the platform to pay ₦20 million in compensation and to delete the story from its website.

The judgment, delivered on June 24, 2025, has been celebrated by fans and fellow actors as a landmark victory for digital privacy. Many praised Adunni Ade for standing up against unethical reporting and protecting her dignity. Her win serves as a strong reminder to media organizations to fact-check information before publishing and respect people’s privacy — especially in the digital age, where misinformation spreads quickly.

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