Nollywood actress and producer Toyin Abraham, has ignited a social media storm following allegations that she illegally orchestrated the arrest of a social media user and his mother for defamation.
During an Instagram live session on Wednesday, Abraham denied these accusations, stating that she had instead filed a petition against cyberbullies who defamed her online.
Toyin Abraham has been vocal about experiencing online bullying due to her support for President Bola Tinubu during the last general elections. The controversy has triggered a heated debate on social media, with opinions divided on her actions. Some users have expressed support for Abraham’s decision to combat cyberbullying, while others have accused her of attempting to censor and intimidate her critics.
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Social media platforms were awash with mixed reactions. @AjeboDanny, on X, threatened, “If Ayo is not released today, we will start mass-reporting Toyin’s Instagram page and then move to send emails to Netflix. Can someone do a list of Toyin’s movies on Netflix and Prime, so we know what titles we are adding to the emails?”
Adding fuel to the fire, another X user, Faiza Mahmud, shared an email template to simplify the reporting process for Nigerians. The email, directed at Netflix, urged the streaming service to investigate Abraham’s alleged oppressive behavior and consider boycotting her movies. Mahmud wrote, “It is imperative for Netflix to investigate these incidents and take appropriate action to ensure that all content creators uphold respect and dignity for every culture and community they represent.”
Nigerian reality TV star and influencer, Natacha Akide, also weighed in on the controversy. The former Big Brother Naija star clarified that she did not support Toyin Abraham, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to respect other people’s choices and not blame celebrities for their candidates’ shortcomings. “As much as I do not support any party in the brewing drama, I would like to implore Nigerians to do better and respect other people’s choices,” she stated.
Another social media user, @oluwadharmilaarey, tweeted, “Most people knew those guys were wrong for constantly bullying her, but because of her choice, they wanted to guilt-trip her. I hope they can learn their lesson. Celebs are humans too.”
Nigerian skit maker and comedian, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, advised fellow celebrities against using their influence to “illegally” arrest online trolls. He tweeted, “If anyone insults you or defames your character, go to court and seek justice. Don’t use your friends in government to illegally detain citizens. It may favor you now, but think about tomorrow when you no longer have that power or are close to that power. It might not be you; it might be someone you care about. What will become of us if everyone takes the law into their own hands?”
The ongoing drama has sparked a broader conversation about the limits of free speech online and the responsibilities of public figures in protecting their reputations. While some praise Abraham’s stand against cyberbullying, others criticize her for allegedly using her influence to silence dissent.
