Celebrity Blogger Linda Ikeji appears to have ticked off many industry celebrities, while enjoying her good fortunes. On the one hand, many want to debut or stay relevant on her platform, yet on the other hand they rain abuses on her. It’s not an easy life being a blogger, is it?
Over the last few years, there is no one in the entertainment space that has highlighted the many facets of a defamation claim and make us question the limits on free speech and freedom of the press, from a Nigerian and US perspective, than Linda Ikeji.
Through it all, the celebrity blogger has managed to stay one step ahead and away from legal liability. Given we are barely into 2014 and a catfight emerges, on twitter, between Yvonne Nelson and Linda Ikeji ;surrounding the same issues of defamation, I can’t help but wonder whether this is the year Linda Ikeji gets sued for defamation?
The allegation that creates the (current twitter) fight is that Linda Ikeji published a false statement about Yvonne Nelson claiming she and her ex-boyfriend (Iyanya) will be starring in a movie, together, that Nelson was producing and directing. Yvonne Nelson called Ikeji out on twitter. Ikeji claims Yvonne’s publicist sent her the story and does her due diligence after the fact (post publishing), and realizes she was wrong. She deletes the false statement (defamation) and takes on Yvonne Nelson on twitter. Who is liable?
I have discussed US and Nigerian defamation laws. On the US end of things, liability is a hard stretch against Ikeji. On the Nigerian end of things, there is a bit more leeway. See archived cases below to see my extensive legal analysis on similar kinds of claim against Ikeji.
Note that prior cases I have scrutinized here on AML, with the exception of one matter, have been meritless, in my opinion.
AML Archived Alleged Defamatory Claims Against Linda Ikeji:
2. Toke Makinwa (via Toni Payne) v. Linda Ikeji
4. Eva Alordiah v. Linda Ikeji
5. Flavour’s Alleged Girlfriend Oyinye v. Linda Ikeji
6. Susan Peters v. Linda Ikeji
7. Dencia v. Liz Garvy v. Linda Ikeji (exception and an invasion of privacy claim)
The cases keep compiling and it appears given how big Linda Ikeji has become, she might want to have her legal team on board and also set up certain internal practices for handling and vetting/fact checking news stories from sources. Why? Well, if we continue with this streak of defamatory accusations levied by our celebrities against Ikeji, it is only a matter of time before she gets sued. It doesn’t mean those suing will prevail. It just means they will attempt a lawsuit which is costly and not necessarily fun for the person affected.
-Uduak
p.s. Is anyone noticing Bella Naija’s attempt to dethrone Linda Ikeji this 2014 or is it just me? An expansion into news more commonly seen on the Ikeji portal; and the Yvonne Nelson exclusive negating Ikeji’s reporting are clues, I think. It is interesting times ahead.
Photo description: Yvonne Nelson via her Instagram page
I might be wrong…but I got irritated reading the battle of the tweets…It was a damn movie…was it that serious… Or is it more to the story Ms. Nelson (no pun intended)? Geez Lousie #girlscatfight
@Nkiru, I hear you o. E don tay. How your side?
Good to see you here. Thanks for your comment.
Cheers,
Uduak