Veteran Nollywood actor, Pat Uchenna Attah, has filed a suit against the presenters of the Lagos-based Television Continental (TVC) talk show known as “Entertainment Splash (E-Splash)” over a claim on his relationship with actress Genevieve Nnaji.
The in a letter dated August 6, 2024, written by his lawyer, Anthony Omaghomi, to the management of TVC Communications, gave a 14-day ultimatum to the three presenters of the talk show, Olayemi Ogunwole (a.k.a Honeypot), Jay Paul (Mr. Flamez), and Cassey Bashua Alimi to publicly apologise in three national newspapers.
Attah, who currently lives in Germany, vowed to file a defamation libel lawsuit if they failed to apologise. The demand comes after the presenters used the platform to falsely allege that the actor, granted an interview where he claimed, without being asked, that he had dated actress Genevieve Nnaji.
Omaghomi said the allegation was a calculated plot to demean, embarrass, and ridicule the actor. The counsel also demanded an immediate retraction, a written apology, and the payment of N500million as compensation for the alleged defamation.
The letter reads: ”In consequence of the said publication, our client has been greatly injured in his credit, character, reputation, profession and family life. Our client is one of the pioneers of the Nollywood film industry in Nigeria, a reputable actor, musician and business man, he is also a family man with children who has suffered greatly from this reckless publication.
“Our client was very circumspect in the said interview. He repeatedly said his relationship with Genevieve Nnaji was cordial and serious which did not in anyway tarnish the image of Genevieve Nnaji. It is in the light of the above, acting on the instruction of our client that we make the following demands;
“That you are to retract the contents of the said broadcast made on August 8, 2023 on your television station anchored by Olayemi Ogunwole (a.k.a. Honeypot), Cavey Bashua Alimi, Jay Paul (a.k.a Mr. Flamez) and tender an unreserved apology to our client.
“This retraction and apology must be published and broadcasted in the same means and manner in which the libelous publication was made, including YouTube channel, Twitter, all social medis platforms, Whatsapp and Facebook etc.
“The retraction and apology must also be published/broadcast on the same programme “Entertainment Splash (e-splash)” and be anchored by the same persons who must apologize to our client. In addition, this apology and retraction must be published in no fewer than Three National Dailies, to wit: Vanguard, THISDAY and Punch Newspapers.
“Our client has instructed us to make an unequivocal demand for Monetary damages in the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira). The above demands must be met within 14 working days from the date of receipt of this letter. Our instructions are that, should you choose to disregard or fail to heed these we are to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to seek redress as demanded above.”