Media Talk Africa: Latest Headlines in Politics, Business, Sports, and More

A bitter feud between Nigerian film stars Lizzy Anjorin and Iyabo Ojo has intensified, with Anjorin leveling explosive allegations against her colleague during a social media outburst on her fifth wedding anniversary. In a detailed Instagram post, the Nollywood actress accused Ojo of orchestrating a campaign to destabilize her marriage and tarnish her public image through fabricated evidence, defamatory rumors, and calculated emotional manipulation.

The allegations span multiple serious claims, including accusations that Ojo hired individuals to secretly record Anjorin’s husband, forged a death certificate to fraudulently solicit financial donations, and spread damaging falsehoods through entertainment blogs. Anjorin further alleged that her rival exploited public sympathy for personal gain, emphasizing that the purported harassment extended to distressing her children. “A good marriage isn’t about tearing a family down,” she wrote, addressing Ojo directly. “It’s about loving and building a family together.”

The post juxtaposed nostalgic reflections on marital unity with sharp critiques of Ojo’s conduct. Anjorin recalled a post-wedding conversation where Ojo allegedly falsely claimed to have received a diamond ring from Nigerian politician Dino Melaye. “Why did you cook up stories about getting a diamond ring? To do what again? Gangan,” she questioned, using a Yoruba term suggesting mockery.

The conflict has legal precedent. During earlier tensions, Ojo filed a ₦1 billion (roughly $700,000) defamation lawsuit against Anjorin, which was dismissed by a Lagos court in May 2024. The court ordered Ojo to pay ₦500,000 ($340) in legal costs to Anjorin, citing insufficient evidence to support the defamation claims. This ruling added credibility to Anjorin’s assertions of being targeted, though Ojo has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.

The dispute highlights escalating rivalries in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where personal and professional conflicts often play out on social media. Fans and commentators have expressed concern over the psychological toll such public battles may take on the families involved, particularly children referenced in Anjorin’s accusations. While the truth behind the claims remains contested, the drama underscores the blurred lines between celebrity lives and their on-screen personas in an era where digital platforms amplify personal grievances into national spectacles.