LAGOS, Nigeria — A TikTok user, Nwakaego Okoye, has been sentenced to three years in prison for cyberstalking Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos handed down the ruling on Wednesday, August 1, 2023, after Okoye pleaded guilty to a two-count cyberstalking charge.
Justice Oweibo considered Okoye’s remorse and gave her the option of paying a fine of N150,000 in lieu of jail time.
The charge stated that Okoye and another accomplice conspired to commit the offense between December 2022 and July 2023 in Lagos, in contravention of Sections 24(1)(b)(2)(a)(c) and 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
Okoye was arrested for making defamatory statements against actress Eniola Badmus. She confessed that she defamed the actress because a friend, Fortune Ibe, had promised to pay her N200,000 for doing so. She was seen in a video clip apologizing for her actions and explaining that she needed the money to pay her house rent.
“What happened was that a friend of mine, Fortune Ibe, said if I should come out and talk about Mrs. Eniola Badmus, he would send me N200k because I told him about my rent. That was what prompted the video. I am so sorry; I just did that because I was desperate to pay my house rent. I just did it because of the money,” Okoye said.
Following Okoye’s arrest, actress Badmus rejected pleas to settle the matter out of court, insisting on charging her for maligning her hard-earned reputation.
This case highlights the increasing concern over cyberstalking and online defamation, especially in the era of social media.
It highlights the need for internet users to be cautious about their online activities, as they can have serious legal consequences.
The ruling also serves as a warning to those who may seek to defame others online for personal gain or other motives.
