Halima Abubakar sues AGN President for N30bn over her indefinite suspension
Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has initiated legal action against Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), seeking damages amounting to N30 billion.
She lodged the complaint following the AGN’s announcement of her indefinite suspension from the guild last week.
In a statement issued last week, the AGN justified Halima’s suspension by alleging that she was responsible for spreading false and defamatory information about AGN members, especially rumors of extramarital affairs involving notable figures in the entertainment industry.
Not one to be taken aback by these serious allegations, Halima, represented by her legal team P.D Pius & Associates, expressed disbelief at the accusations, stating that the AGN had never invited her to clear her name before the news of her suspension began to spread on social media.
In a letter dated October 20, 2024, Halima’s legal representatives expressed their condemnation of the AGN President’s actions, accusing him of intentionally damaging her reputation. The letter highlighted that the “false narrative was crafted with the intention to denigrate her, cast aspersions on her character, and provoke social opprobrium.”
The letter in part reads;
“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 within seven days. Additionally, they demanded N30 billion in damages for reputational harm.
Halima, represented by her legal team, has stated that if her demands are not met within the specified timeframe, she will pursue legal action to seek redress.