LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Social media defamation is becoming more common, leading many celebrities to fight back legally against what they perceive as false and harmful claims made online.
From slanderous remarks to fabricated stories, to cyberbulling, the impact of defamatory content on public figures has spurred a wave of legal battles aimed at safeguarding reputations and holding perpetrators accountable.
From Mercy Chinwo to Davido, and even Eniola Badmus, Nigerian celebrities are staunch defenders of their reputations, demonstrating zero tolerance for defamation. They spare no effort in pursuing legal action against anyone who attempts to tarnish their names.
This report delves into the experiences of celebrities who have pursued legal recourse in the face of social media defamation, shedding light on the challenges, outcomes, and broader implications of these cases.
The first is Eniola Badmus
A particular Tiktoker identified as Nwakego Okoye Blessed had in a video alleged that the actress was a pimp, connecting girls to top politicians in Nigeria.
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Eniola pursued the matter seriously, ensuring Nwakego’s arrest.
Despite Nwakego’s pleas for mercy, confessing that she made the allegations out of desperation for money promised by a friend to pay her house rent, Eniola remained firm.
Consequently, Nwakego was sentenced to three years imprisonment for defaming the actress.
Mercy Chinwo
Renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo found herself entangled in a defamation case following the birth of her first child.
READ ALSO: Nathaniel Bassey Petitions IGP Over Social Media Defamation
Since the birth of her son, Charis Nduka Blessed, she has chosen to keep her baby’s face out of the public eye. Recently, on Good Friday, she delighted fans by unveiling her baby boy’s face through pictures shared on Instagram.
Unfortunately, amidst the celebration, unfounded claims surfaced on social media. Some individuals, namely Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie, began trolling Mercy, alleging that her baby did not resemble her husband but instead bore resemblance to Nathaniel Bassey, another gospel singer.
These baseless accusations prompted Mercy and her husband to take legal action to address the slanderous allegations.
The court ordered the trolls to appear before it on April 23 to face a criminal defamation case that was brought against them by Mercy’s husband, Uzochikwa.
Nathaniel Bassey
In a related development, Nathaniel Bassey, implicated in the unfounded claims regarding Mercy Chinwo’s child, through his legal representatives, petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address the matter.
Bassey’s legal team cited allegations of criminal defamation and cyberstalking against individuals identified as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and DJ Spoiltkid.
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In their petition, they have urged the IGP to use his authority to investigate the situation thoroughly in the interest of justice. They seek the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, emphasising that such action will serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar behaviour.
Naira Marley
Nigerian singer, Naira Marley, found himself embroiled in a legal battle with actress Iyabo Ojo over defamatory remarks made on her Instagram account.
In a formal communication through his legal representative, Naira Marley demanded a public apology and restitution of N500 million from Ojo.
The accusations levied against him, involving alleged misconduct, bullying and physical assault on his late protege, Mohbad.
This prompted swift legal action to safeguard his reputation and integrity in the face of the claims which he described as baseless.
Peruzzi
Peruzzi, a prominent figure in the Nigerian music industry, faced a challenging situation when false allegations surfaced on social media implicating him in a scandalous affair with Chioma, Davido’s wife.
READ ALSO: Hold Davido Responsible If Anything Harmful Happens To Me – Tiwa Savage Writes Lagos Police
Despite the swift retraction and apology from the individual responsible for the fabricated screenshot, Peruzzi remained resolute in his decision to pursue legal recourse.
Davido
Afrobeats singer, Davido recently threatened to sue a Kenyan blog over misinformation.
The blog’s misleading April Fool’s Day prank, falsely claimed that Davido was arrested at a Kenyan airport. Despite the blog’s subsequent deletion of the post, Davido remained steadfast in his pursuit of the case legally.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, a celebrated Nigerian singer and songwriter, found herself at the center of a legal dispute after enduring alleged cyberbullying and threats to her safety from another prominent artiste, Davido.
Concerned for her well-being and determined to address the harassment, Tiwa Savage took decisive action by filing a formal petition. The petition highlighted the gravity of the threats and sought legal intervention to ensure her rights to privacy, dignity, and safety were protected.
Jenny’s Glow.
Jenny’s Glow, a renowned skincare entrepreneur, faced significant challenges when a prominent TikTok influencer, VeryDarkMan, made damaging allegations questioning the authenticity of her products.
READ ALSO: Davido To Sue Kenyan Media Outlet Over Drug Arrest Hoax
The ensuing controversy led to regulatory authorities temporarily sealing Jenny’s Glow’s shops, causing significant harm to her business and reputation.
In response, Jenny’s Glow pursued legal action against VeryDarkMan, seeking restitution of 500 million naira for defamation of character.