BBNaija Star Neo Akpofure Takes Legal Stand Against Rape Accusations
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Neo Akpofure has escalated a social media dispute into a legal battle, threatening to sue a woman who publicly accused him of rape. The controversy erupted on Tuesday, February 17, when a user with the handle @notralia posted allegations on X, claiming Akpofure sexually assaulted her.
Details of the Allegations and Legal Response
The accuser, identified as Ms. Arikan Udoka, alleged that she and Akpofure had a casual sexual relationship while studying at the University of Calabar. She stated they agreed to be friends with benefits under the condition that neither would be in a relationship. According to her account, she discovered Akpofure was in a relationship, confronted him at his home, and was then raped by him.
In a swift legal move, Akpofure's lawyers at E.L. Akpofure, San & Co. issued a formal letter dated February 18, 2026. The document strongly denies the allegations, labeling them as entirely false, malicious and defamatory. The legal team argues that the accusations have severely damaged Akpofure's reputation and caused him significant emotional distress.
The letter explicitly states: The allegation falsely portrays our client as a sexual offender and a criminal, thereby subjecting him to public odium, reputational injury and emotional distress.
Legal Demands and Potential Consequences
The legal notice outlines several demands that Ms. Udoka must fulfill to avoid further action:
- Immediate deletion of the original post and any related publications
- A clear public retraction of the allegations
- Publication of a formal apology acknowledging the claims were untrue
- A written undertaking promising no future defamatory statements
The law firm has given a 48-hour deadline for compliance, warning that failure to meet these demands will result in legal proceedings. This could include a civil suit for defamation under Nigerian law, potentially leading to significant legal and financial consequences for the accuser.
Broader Implications for Public Figures
This case highlights the growing tension between social media accusations and legal accountability in Nigeria's entertainment industry. Public figures like Akpofure increasingly face unverified claims that can spread rapidly online, damaging careers and personal lives before any factual verification occurs.
The legal action represents a notable pushback against what Akpofure's team characterizes as baseless allegations designed to generate attention at the expense of his reputation. As social media continues to serve as a platform for both legitimate grievances and potentially malicious claims, this case may set a precedent for how Nigerian celebrities address similar situations in the future.
The entertainment community and legal observers will be watching closely to see how this dispute resolves, particularly whether it proceeds to court or settles through the demanded retraction and apology. The outcome could influence how seriously social media accusations are treated and what legal protections exist for those falsely accused in the public sphere.
