Ibrahim Rufai, an ex-boyfriend to Maryam Booth, Kannywood
actress, has filed a N10 million lawsuit against the latter over
alleged “criminal defamation”.
The music artist, better known as Deezell, disclosed this in a
series of post on his social media on Friday.
Also included in the lawsuit are Maryam Aliyu Obaje
(Mada-Korede) and four others whose real names are yet to be
verified.
Booth made the headlines recently after a short video clip of
her fully unclad went viral on the internet. In reaction, the Hausa
actress had accused Deezell of circulating the video.
She also claimed that the singer had on multiple occasions
“threatened to leak her video if she does not pay him” — a claim
the singer denied vehemently.
Deezell had afterwards called on Booth to withdraw the
“defamatory” publication as well as tender an apology.
In a new twist, the singer revealed he had already filed a
lawsuit before a federal high court in Abuja, after the actress and
other peddling the said “defamatory” materials failed to withdraw
such and apologise.
“Earlier this week, I issued two statements distancing myself
from the outrageous malicious accusations leveled against me,” he
wrote.
“On both occasions, I demanded immediate statement withdrawal
and apology from the perpetrators. Since then, I have seen some
posts and received messages where some publicly withdrew their
allegations while several others refused to do so.
“Now after proper consultation with my United States attorneys
along with my Nigerian lawyers, I have sued for criminal
defamation, inciting public disturbance, criminal conspiracy
insulting and abusive language, joint act, injuring of mind,
voluntary and cyber-stalking, pursuant to the relevant provisions
of the law.
“The court has ordered the Nigeria police force to investigate
the full identities and report with details of the respondents,
most particularly the 3rd-7th, while several other perpetrators not
listed therein shall be joined as parties to the suit in due
course. See you all in court. Officialdeezell.”
“WHEREOF, the Complainant is before this Honourable court to
cause a criminal summons to be issued against the Defendants for
the offences of Criminal Defamation, Inciting public disturbance,
criminal conspiracy, insulting and abusive language, joint act,
injury of mind, voluntary and cyberstalking contrary to sections
27, 32, 79, 96, 391 & 392 and 399 of the Penal Code laws of the
Northern Nigeria 1963 and section 25(1) (a) (b) & (2) (a) of the
Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and the
Complainant to be compensated to the tune of the N10, 000, 000 (Ten
Million Naira Only) by the Defendants jointly or severally.”