Alieke emphasized that simply adding the word “allegedly” to a defamatory statement does not shield individuals from legal action.
Nigerian lawyer, Stan Alieke has sent a message to social media users who make defamatory statements using 'allegedly.'
Accordign to him, using allegedly will not save them from a lawsuit.
Recall that Alieke is the lawyer who represented singer, Speed Darlington in his case against Burna Boy.
He issued the warning in a recent post on his Instagram story.
He wrote: “Allegedly should be the most abused word in Nigeria now. It means in law, according to someone’s allegation albeit no proof” or “a source that cannot be named said,” But y’all should know that this not a one stop immunity or shield to a defamation suit. You cannot intentionally defame or knowingly tell a falsehood against a person and think that a sprinkle of the world allegedly will save you from a lawsuit if the defamed person decides to take action.”
Reacting to the post:
@verydarkblackman said: “Allegedly @officialefcc sef na dey tiff.”
@deyemitheactor said: “Nooooo na! You for no tell them… ALLEGEDLY! #casedonyapa #allegedlykeeyoudia.”
@nigerianwomencommunityuk reacted: “What if we use it in capital letters? Like ALLEGEDLY??”
@_bobo101 said: “So “allegedly” no be our bulletproof again.”
@callmestrategy said: “Baby lawyer, I will tell the court that it was my grandpa that told me and he’s now late.. Make dem go call odumeje to raise am up from d@ath.”
@obrigadosingsong said: “When it comes to the hardship in Nigeria, we are not alleging it, we know our problem and we need the current president to step down!!”