Nigerian performer Afeez Fashola, better known by her stage name Naira Marley, has sued actress Iyabo Ojo, claiming that false and defamatory content was shared on her Instagram account.
In a September 2023 article, Naira Marley’s attorney, Olalekan Ojo, provided an overview of the allegations made. He mentioned that in a letter to Ojo, the actress accused Naira Marley of engaging in both spiritual and physical interactions with the late artist, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also referred to as Mohbad.
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Ojo, who referred to Mohbad as his brother, also accused Naira Marley of inflicting mental harm on the man.
Ojo is being sued by Naira Marley’s attorney for N500 million in damages and a public apology.
The attorney requested that the apology appear in a national daily and be shared on Ojo’s official Instagram page.
The attorney for Naira Marley stated that they would be forced to sue her if she disregarded the requirements set forth.
Part of the letter says, “We are Azeez Fashola’s (also known as Naira Marley) lawyers. She is a well-known British and Nigerian singer-artist with over seven million fans. She is our client, and we are writing on her behalf on the subject matter mentioned above.
This letter must begin by stating that the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) hired our client because of his iconic status and asked him to use his platforms and skills to create content that will deter millions of his followers and young Nigerians from abusing drugs.
“It is our instruction that sometime in September 2023, you willfully and falsely published the following information about and about our client on your official Instagram handle, “iyaboojofespris”: and ruining their lives and leaving them without a way to get help. You will continue to defend Taya because there is evidence to support your claim that you will interview her again. Let’s get justice for Mohbad first.”
It is indisputable that the aforementioned words, when read by ordinary, rational members of the public who have perused the post, meant or were understood to mean that our client is a drug addict and that he laced food and drinks that our client gave to the boys who were staying with him with drugs, causing the boys’ lives to be utterly destroyed.
“You committed a very significant libel by publishing the aforementioned words on the internet, where anyone with access to the system may easily see them. This has severely damaged our client’s reputation.
It is undeniably true that the aforementioned article, which has been viewed by many people online throughout the world, defames our client and has exposed him to mockery and disdain, harming his reputation in the process.
We further direct that our client has received numerous calls from his fans, colleagues, friends, and followers worldwide who read the post and expressed their disgust and dismay at the malicious and false post you made on your official Instagram handle, “iyaboojofespris,” about and pertaining to our client, which was defamatory and libellous.
