Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticised former Edo State Governor and serving Senator Adams Oshiomhole following the circulation of a viral video showing him aboard a private jet rubbing the foot of an unidentified woman.
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Fresh findings have revealed that the woman is not Oshiomhole’s wife, Iara Fortes, a Cape Verdean lawyer and former model, contrary to earlier speculation online. The woman has been identified as a South African lifestyle influencer and adult-oriented content creator, known by the TikTok handle @leshaandagama and a former Instagram account @leshaan_dagama.
On her Instagram profile, she described herself as a “professional sugar baby” and urged broke people to “stay away.”
Reacting to the report, Adeyanju took to social media platform X, where he questioned the source of Oshiomhole’s wealth and criticised what he portrayed as a sharp contrast between the senator’s background and his present lifestyle.
@thenigerialawyer "This Is What They Need Our Taxes For, To Enjoy" — Nigerians Criticize Oshiomhole Over Private Jet Video As Lady Identified As South African 'Professional Sugar Baby'
“Comrade wey dey ball! Politics money is sweet. A former textile worker living like Pablo Escobar. No evidence he inherited money from rich parents or that he is a successful businessman or actively doing anything progressively as at today aside politics. Behaving like Wike whose only source of wealth is before harmattan there was cold,” Adeyanju wrote.
Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani defended his colleague amid the controversy, stating on social media: “In the spirit of the Struggle, Comrade Adams was just with a fellow comrade from South Africa. What is the problem with you people?”
The short clip, which began trending on Monday, shows Oshiomhole appearing relaxed and jovial aboard the private aircraft, sparking renewed debate about political excess, elite privilege, and widening inequality in Nigeria.
The revelation has further inflamed public anger, with many Nigerians questioning how a serving senator, often accused by critics of benefiting from Nigeria’s broken political system, could openly flaunt luxury amid widespread economic hardship.
An X user, Everest, wrote: “When Oshiomhole is done living this way, why won’t good be cheap in his eyes? I pity poor Nigerians.”
Another user, Emma Ik, alleged misuse of public resources, stating: “Just look at what Oshiomole and his special friend are doing with Nigeria’s resources, it’s well.”
Reacting to public tolerance for political extravagance, a user identified as Ikemba said: “The funny thing is his constituency people will tell you he deserves it and more.”
Several users recalled Oshiomhole’s history as a labour activist, accusing him of betraying the ideals he once championed.
A user, Global, wrote: “I remember when this man was the NLC President. President Olusegun Obasanjo increased fuel price to 70 naira per litre, NLC went on strike insisting that the price revert back to 65 naira. Now fuel is how much and he is busy chopping life. Nigeria.”
Another user, Zen Magazine, described the situation as hypocrisy: “It’s so annoying. Like this same man was on NTA preaching pay tax pay tax now look at him. This is what they need our taxes for. To enjoy. I want him to come out and say this is AI.”
Oshiomhole’s personal history has added to the controversy. A former textile worker, he was appointed general secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria in 1982.
Following the return to democracy in 1999, he rose to prominence as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, where he led several nationwide strikes against rising fuel prices.
He contested the 2007 Edo State governorship election under the Action Congress alliance, initially losing to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Oserheimen Osunbor. After prolonged legal battles over electoral irregularities, election tribunals and appellate courts overturned the result in 2008 and declared Oshiomhole governor.
He was re-elected in 2012 and served until November 2016.
In June 2018, Oshiomhole emerged as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, he was suspended in November 2019 by APC leaders in Edo State, a decision later upheld by the party, a Federal High Court, and the Court of Appeal in June 2020.
He returned to elective politics in 2022, winning the APC primary for Edo North Senatorial District. In February 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the senatorial election, defeating the incumbent PDP senator.
More recently, in June 2025, Oshiomhole was involved in a public altercation at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos following a missed Air Peace flight to Abuja. The airline accused him of confronting staff and disrupting terminal operations, an incident that was captured on video. Air Peace later issued a statement condemning what it described as “unruly conduct” and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for disruptions.
Against this backdrop, critics say the senator’s display of luxury contrasts sharply with his background as a labour activist and public servant.
As of the time of filing this report, Oshiomhole has not responded publicly to the viral footage, Adeyanju’s comments, or the identification of the woman in the video.
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