A Nigerian TikToker has bagged a three-year jail term for cyberstalking and defaming Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus. Here’s all we know about the lawsuit:
How did it all start?
On July 19, 2023, a Nigerian lady identified as Nwakaego “Ego” Blessing Okoye filmed a TikTok video, levelling several allegations against Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus.
Ego claimed that in January 2023, she was out with a friend when the actress saw them and asked to have a private audience with her friend. Ego said she knew Eniola was interested in her friend because of her shape. She alleged that the actress took her friend’s number and stated she “had a chairman for her”. Ego asked her friend why she didn’t inform the actress that she was engaged and about to be wed. According to Ego, her friend claimed she wanted to hear what Eniola had to say.
The TikToker labelled Eniola a “professional pimp”, adding that the actress used to sleep around with politicians but was now outsourcing since she’s gotten older. Ego’s TikTok video went viral that same day, with thousands of internet users feeding into her allegations and making more defamatory remarks about the actress.
Eniola Badmus’s reaction
Badmus shared an Instagram post on the same July 19, urging people to “thread carefully”, adding that she wouldn’t listen to “please” if she gets a hold of the lady behind the allegation.
Eniola Badmus involves the police
On Saturday, July 22, three days after the viral video dropped, Ego sent out a distress call via a video she shared online, revealing that police officers had arrived at her residence.
“I’m in serious soup. Eniola Badmus has called the police. They’re at my door. They want to break in. I’m in serious problem. You guys, I need help. They want to break my door.”
Shortly after the distress call went out, Eniola shared a video on her Snapchat page, letting the world know that the police had finally arrested Ego. In the video, a remorseful Ego was seen apologising to Eniola. The actress asked why she defamed her and strongly noted that “sorry” won’t cut it.
“You can’t be sorry. We dey go court.”
Ego admitted to the police that the allegations against the actress were completely false. According to her, a male friend called Fortune Ibe, promised her the sum of ₦200,000 to make the defamatory video about the actress. Ego claimed the friend made the offer after she told him she needed money to pay for her house rent.
She proceeded to apologise to Eniola, noting that everything she said was a lie, and she was only desperate for money to pay her rent.
“I personally sent her a message” — Eniola Badmus
During an Instagram Live interview with media personality, Daddy Freeze, on July 24, Eniola claimed she sent a message to Ego expressing her concerns about the video and urging her to take it down. According to her, Ego told her to “shut up”.
The actress said Ego’s response forced her to take the matter up with her lawyer who submitted a petition and moved the matter to court.
Will Ego really spend three years in jail?
On Tuesday, August 2, a Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Nwakaego Okoye to three years imprisonment for cyberstalking Eniola Badmus.
Justice Nichola Oweibo convicted Ego after she pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of cyberstalking. However, following the convict’s show of remorse, Justice Oweibo gave Ego an option to pay a fine of ₦150,000 in lieu of jail time.
Eniola breaks silence following the court’s ruling
In an Instagram post shared hours after the court’s ruling, Eniola stressed the importance of letting people live their lives without castigating them for it. She mentioned her hurtful experiences during her weight loss journey and how she’s also been subjected to cyberbullying because of her political choices.
According to her, the hateful comments hurt and sometimes “you truly and really want to set an example.” She added, ”While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, I think it should be exercised responsibly and with consideration for the potential harm it may cause.”
