Halima Abubakar threatens AGN with N3bn lawsuit over ‘defamation’

Halima Abubakar has demanded N3 billion in damages from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) over “professional misconduct”.

On Friday, the guild suspended Abubakar allegedly finding her “guilty of spreading false information about fellow members, associates, and patrons, including allegations of extramarital affairs with highly placed individuals”.

In a letter dated October 20, 2024, P.D. Pius & Associates, Abubakar’s legal representatives, described AGN’s allegations as a “false narrative” done “deliberately to denigrate our client”.

They also demanded that the guild take down the Instagram post announcing the actress’ suspension, issue a public apology, and pay N3 billion for the “damage to Abubakar’s reputation”.

“You peddled the false narrative about our clients deliberately to paint her in a bad light, cast aspersions on her, denigrate her, and stir up social opprobrium against our client,” the letter partly reads.

“You are well aware that our client has been battling with her health for years and despite a professional relationship, you did not have the courtesy to visit her or in any way show concern.

“Rather than show concern or respect to our client’s fundamental rights to fair hearing and privacy, you chose this delicate moment of recovery for our client to push your narrative a false narrative about our client in order to arrest her health recovery process, cause her emotional and psychological pain and damage her reputation.”

“… We are therefore constrained to demand that you should immediately take down the publication and render an unreserved public apology to our client via your Instagram page.

“Cease and desist from any further publication against our client. Pay N3 billion to out client for damaging her reputation.”

Abubakar’s legal team also declared that “unless these demands are met within seven days, we are instructed by our client to pursue appropriate legal action”.