BBNaija Star Neo Akpofure Launches Legal Battle Over Viral Sexual Assault Allegation
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Neo Akpofure has taken decisive legal steps to protect his reputation following a serious online accusation. The reality TV star has initiated formal legal proceedings against a female X user who publicly accused him of sexual assault, setting off a firestorm of reactions across Nigerian social media platforms.
The Viral Accusation and Immediate Fallout
On February 17, 2026, an X user operating under the profile name "the violently wicked" with username "@notralia" made explosive allegations against Neo Akpofure. The accuser claimed that the BBNaija star had sexually assaulted her during their time together at the University of Calabar. The now-deleted post described what she characterized as a past casual relationship with Neo, alleging that the assault occurred after she confronted him about being involved with another person.
The accusation spread rapidly across social media platforms, gaining significant traction as users shared and discussed the serious claims. The accuser directly tagged Neo Akpofure in her post, challenging him to publicly deny the allegations. The viral nature of the accusation prompted immediate concern among the celebrity's fans and followers, while also drawing attention from entertainment bloggers and media outlets.
Legal Response Within 24 Hours
In a swift response to the damaging allegations, Neo Akpofure's legal team issued a formal demand letter just one day after the post went viral. Dated February 18, 2026, the legal document outlined specific requirements for the accuser to meet within a strict 48-hour deadline. The letter characterized the accusation as false, malicious, and defamatory, stating that it portrayed Neo as a criminal and caused significant reputational harm and emotional distress.
The legal representatives emphasized that the claim constituted actionable libel under Nigerian law and warned that failure to comply with their demands would result in both civil action and potential criminal proceedings. The demands included immediate deletion of the original post, publication of a clear retraction, and a public apology posted on the accuser's X profile. Additionally, the accuser was required to provide a written undertaking promising not to make further defamatory statements about Neo Akpofure.
Social Media Reactions and Public Debate
The legal move sparked intense debate across Nigerian social media platforms, with users expressing diverse opinions about the situation. Many commenters supported Neo's decision to pursue legal action, arguing that false accusations undermine genuine victims of sexual assault. One user, @Lord_Of_Warri, commented: "Lock them up and arrest them. These false accusations will never stop until there are real consequences — including the same jail time a r@pist would face. What they're doing makes it harder for real victims who actually need belief, help, and support to be taken seriously."
Other users questioned whether a simple apology would be sufficient to repair the damage done to Neo's reputation. @Ebisgadget remarked: "Apology still won't clear the dent. Blogs won't carry the apology same way they carried the accusation. Sue the werey 200m make her children children pay." Meanwhile, some commenters expressed skepticism about the situation, with @joshua_pharmd asking: "So you actually know the babe? It's possible something happened and you don't think it's what it is. It's possible!"
Legal Precedent and Broader Context
This case follows a similar legal action taken by Nollywood actor Frederick Leonard, who recently filed a defamation and libel lawsuit against filmmaker and blogger Stanley Ontop. Leonard claimed that Stanley had made false allegations about him for over two years, resulting in financial losses and damage to his career. Stanley Ontop responded by dismissing the claims and stating his readiness to face the legal battle, indicating he was awaiting police invitation to begin the process.
The Neo Akpofure case highlights growing concerns among Nigerian celebrities about protecting their reputations in the digital age, where unverified accusations can spread rapidly across social media platforms. Legal experts note that defamation lawsuits have become increasingly common as public figures seek to combat what they characterize as false and damaging online content.
As the 48-hour deadline approaches, all eyes remain on whether the accuser will comply with the legal demands or whether this case will proceed to formal litigation. The outcome could set important precedents for how similar cases are handled in Nigeria's entertainment industry and broader social media landscape.
