Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has initiated legal proceedings against actress Iyabo Ojo.
The lawsuit seeks a staggering N500 million in damages, alleging defamation stemming from Ojo’s Instagram posts that purportedly connected Naira Marley to the tragic circumstances surrounding Mohbad.
Naira Marley’s legal representatives, issuing the demand through a formal letter, emphasized their client’s iconic status. They highlighted Naira Marley’s engagement with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where he has actively employed his influence to dissuade millions of followers and Nigerian youths from engaging in substance abuse.
The legal documentation states that in September 2023, Iyabo Ojo, through her official Instagram handle “iyaboojofespris,” allegedly posted defamatory remarks about Naira Marley. The post, directed at the singer, implied involvement in substance abuse, accusing him of contaminating the food and drinks given to individuals staying with him. The implication was that this resulted in severe harm to their lives, leaving them destitute and in need of assistance.
The legal team contends that Ojo’s words, in their ordinary and natural meanings, were designed to convey to the public that Naira Marley is a drug addict who deliberately introduced substances into the food and drinks given to those around him. The result, as implied, was a catastrophic impact on the lives of those affected.
The publication of these allegations on the internet, easily accessible to a global audience, is characterized as a severe case of libel, causing significant damage to Naira Marley’s reputation. The legal team argues that the post has subjected their client to public ridicule and contempt, with widespread repercussions for his standing in the public eye.
Since the publication, Naira Marley has reportedly faced an influx of calls from followers, colleagues, friends, and fans expressing dismay and disgust at the alleged defamatory content. The legal action further references another post by Iyabo Ojo on the same Instagram handle, where she reportedly made additional false and malicious statements about Naira Marley.
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