Nigerian social media personality Peller faces a lawsuit alleging verbal assault and invasion of privacy following a public confrontation. The legal action, initiated by Lagos-based Osarobo Odigie, centres on an incident that occurred at Folixxx Lounge on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in January 2024.
According to a pre-action notice issued by her legal representatives, Bola Osineye of FA Garrick & Co., the altercation took place on January 6 while Odigie was purchasing food. The notice accuses Peller, whose real name is not publicly disputed, of subjecting her to verbal abuse during the encounter. The case gained wider attention after Peller shared a video of the confrontation on his social media platforms. He later issued a public apology for distributing the footage without Odigie’s consent.
In the formal legal notice, Odigie’s legal team demands N395 million in compensation. The claimed damages cover defamatory publication, emotional distress, reputational harm, and additional suffering resulting from subsequent cyberbullying. The notice specifies that if these demands are not met, legal proceedings will commence next week.
The lawsuit underscores the legal risks for influencers and content creators regarding privacy and online conduct. It highlights how offline interactions, when filmed and shared publicly, can lead to significant legal repercussions. The impending court action will test the boundaries of consent, defamation, and the public dissemination of private disputes within Nigeria’s legal framework. The outcome may set a pertinent precedent for accountability in the rapidly evolving digital content space.
