By Austin Oyibode
ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Munir Nwoko and his wife, Nollywood star Regina Daniels, have launched civil and criminal lawsuits against Timothy Gabriel, popularly known as “Tuma,” over what they describe as a sustained campaign of defamation and incitement.
In a statement issued Saturday by the senator’s media office, the couple said the legal action was prompted by Gabriel’s “vile, reckless, and malicious allegations,” which they insist were aimed at damaging their reputation. The statement accused Gabriel of spreading falsehoods disguised as activism, particularly attacking Daniels with claims about morality and paternity.
“There is no democracy anywhere in the world where freedom of speech includes freedom to defame, blackmail, or incite hatred under the guise of online influence. The internet is not above the law,” the statement declared.
The couple’s move follows Gabriel’s reported dare for them to seek legal redress — a challenge they have now taken up. Their legal team says the cases will pursue civil compensation and criminal prosecution due to the “dangerous and criminally prosecutable nature” of the allegations.
“We are taking this to the courts, where we will present overwhelming evidence,” the media office stated, adding that the matter would not be debated on social media. The statement further warned supporters of Gabriel: “Freedom of speech does not include the right to lie and destroy reputations.”
The couple reaffirmed their stand that “defamation is not activism,” vowing to set the record straight through the judicial process.
