Nigerian gospel singer and evangelist Tope Alabi has threatened legal action against individuals who publish or circulate false and defamatory statements about her, warning that liability could extend to people who repost or share such content online.

The warning was contained in a public notice issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, by her solicitors, Oakmount Legal Practitioners, and shared by the singer on Instagram.

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The notice said the legal firm had been instructed to pursue available remedies against anyone whose conduct gave rise to an actionable claim.

Describing Alabi as a gospel minister, recording artiste, songwriter, actress and public figure, the solicitors said she had spent nearly three decades building her professional reputation, which they described as an asset protected by law.

The firm said it had received information that allegedly false, misleading and damaging statements about the singer had been, or might continue to be, circulated through print, broadcast, online platforms and word of mouth.

It warned that anyone publishing such statements without lawful justification could face legal consequences.

The notice stressed that potential liability was not necessarily limited to the original author of a statement. Depending on the circumstances and applicable legal defences, it could also extend to individuals who repeated, republished, forwarded or amplified the material.

“Liability may extend, inter alia, to the originator of the statement and to any person who repeats, republishes, reposts, shares, forwards or otherwise amplifies the same, depending on the circumstances of the publication and any applicable legal defences,” the notice stated.

The solicitors also cautioned social media users against assuming that anonymous or pseudonymous accounts would shield them from legal action.

They said Alabi reserved the right to seek court orders, where legally permissible, to identify those responsible for offending publications, including through relevant digital platforms, hosts and service providers.

The notice directed anyone who had already published the allegedly defamatory material to remove it immediately and refrain from further publication.

However, the lawyers cautioned that deleting a post would not automatically eliminate potential liability for its earlier publication.

They said they had instructions to institute proceedings against individuals whose conduct amounted to an actionable claim, potentially without further notice.

According to the notice, the singer could seek several remedies under applicable law, depending on the circumstances of each case.

These include general damages and, where legally justified, aggravated or exemplary damages.

The firm also listed injunctions to prevent further publication, court orders requiring a retraction and an unreserved public apology, and legal costs.

The solicitors added that Alabi reserved the right to pursue other remedies available under Nigerian law and refer appropriate cases to the relevant authorities.

The notice did not, however, identify the specific statements or publications that prompted the warning.

The firm clarified that the notice was not intended to suppress lawful expression or prevent legitimate public discussion.

“Nothing in this Notice is intended to restrict truthful statements, fair comment on matters of public interest, or the lawful exercise of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by law,” it stated.

The warning comes amid online controversy surrounding Alabi’s reported comments on traditional religious practices and renewed public discussion of her past association with the late cleric Elijah Ajanaku.

While the notice sets out the legal position Alabi intends to pursue, whether any particular publication amounts to defamation would depend on the facts, applicable law and any relevant legal defences.

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The development highlights the legal risks associated with publishing and sharing allegations online, as well as the importance of distinguishing verifiable facts, opinion and unsubstantiated claims.

Tags: Tope Alabi, online defamation, Nigerian entertainment, social media, freedom of expression