Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has filed a lawsuit against the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, seeking N30 billion in damages.

This legal move follows an incident on October 17, 2024, when the AGN, through Rollas’ social media handle, announced Abubakar’s indefinite suspension from the guild.

The statement accused Abubakar of being responsible for spreading defamatory information about AGN members, particularly rumors of extramarital affairs involving prominent individuals linked to the entertainment industry.

In response, Halima Abubakar expressed her shock at the accusations, stating that she had never been contacted by the AGN or given an opportunity to respond to the claims before seeing news of her suspension circulating on social media.

In a letter dated October 20, 2024, Abubakar’s legal representatives, P.D. Pius & Associates, condemned the AGN President’s actions, accusing him of deliberately tarnishing her reputation. The letter emphasized that the false narrative was intended to “denigrate her, cast aspersions on her, and stir up social opprobrium.”

The letter further stated, “Our client has been battling health issues for years, and despite maintaining a professional relationship, you chose this delicate moment during her recovery to spread a negative and false narrative. This has caused her emotional and psychological distress and harmed her reputation among right-thinking members of society.”

The solicitors demanded the immediate removal of the defamatory publication and an unreserved public apology on Rollas’ Instagram page. Additionally, they demanded N30 billion in damages for reputational harm.

The letter concluded with a warning: “Unless these demands are met within seven days, we are instructed by our client to pursue appropriate legal action.” (Vanguard)