Natacha Akide, a Nigerian reality TV personality and influencer, recently offered insights on the ongoing developments involving Toyin Abraham, a prominent Nollywood actress and producer. Abraham has been at the center of a social media controversy following allegations of her involvement in the arrest of a social media user and his mother for defamation. During an Instagram live session, Abraham refuted the accusations, explaining that she had filed a petition against cyberbullies who had defamed her online.
Abraham attributed the online bullying to her support of President Bola Tinubu during the last general elections. Her actions have elicited diverse reactions on social media, with some expressing support for her stance against online harassment, while others have accused her of promoting censorship and intimidation.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion on the boundaries of free speech online and the responsibilities of public figures in safeguarding their reputations. While some commend Abraham for taking a stand against cyberbullying, others criticize her for leveraging her influence to silence her critics.
In a show of support, a social media user, @AjeboDanny, issued a threatening comment on X, pledging to mobilize mass-reporting of Toyin’s Instagram page if an individual named Ayo was not released, and even suggested involving Netflix through email. Additionally, another user, Faiza Mahmud, provided an email template aimed at facilitating the reporting process to Netflix, expressing concerns about Abraham’s alleged oppressive behavior and urging the platform to boycott her movies.
Natacha Akide, a notable figure from Big Brother Naija, clarified her non-support for Toyin Abraham and urged Nigerians to respect others’ choices, cautioning against blaming celebrities for their chosen candidates’ deficiencies.
Furthermore, a Twitter user, @oluwadharmilaarey, commented on the matter, acknowledging the wrongful nature of the constant bullying directed at Toyin Abraham. They highlighted the human aspect of celebrities and expressed hope for a learning experience for all involved.
Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, a Nigerian skit maker and comedian, advised fellow celebrities against involving law enforcement to “illegally” detain online trolls for defamation. He emphasized the importance of seeking justice through legal means rather than using government connections to apprehend individuals, highlighting the potential risks of such power dynamics in the future.
