Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, has stated his intention to sue social media influencer Timothy Gabriel over what he termed defamatory and misleading accusations against him and his wife, Regina Daniels.
The development was made known in a statement from the Ned Nwoko Media Directorate, which was shared with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.
Nwoko noted that during the course of his actions, Gabriel openly challenged both him and his wife to respond and even welcomed a lawsuit — a challenge he said has now been accepted.
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He stressed that no one has the right to make baseless and vulgar allegations against another citizen and then attempt to avoid accountability by hiding behind social media theatrics or public demonstrations.
“We have taken full notice of the vile, reckless, and malicious statements made by one Timothy Gabriel, alias Tuma, and the accompanying attempts to dress lawless behaviour in the garb of activism or press freedom.
“Gabriel not only spewed defamatory lies against Regina Daniels, my wife, an accomplished actress, but also me, and he did so repeatedly, with clear intent to provoke, incite, and destroy reputations.
“There is no democracy anywhere in the world where freedom of speech includes freedom to defame, blackmail, or incite hatred under the guise of online influence.
“The internet is not above the law. Those who think they can assassinate character and go unpunished are about to face the full weight of Nigeria’s legal system.
“My legal team also representing Regina-Daniels Nwoko is already taking every step necessary to prosecute Gabriel and his enablers through every legal means available.
“This includes both criminal defamation and civil suits, for which the evidence is overwhelming.
“His slanderous comments about paternity, morality, and fictitious personal “evidence” are not only damaging, they are false, dangerous, and criminally prosecutable,” he said.
The lawmaker further stated that those backing or justifying Gabriel’s actions in the name of human rights advocacy should understand that freedom of speech does not grant the license to spread falsehoods or cause harm.
“Mr Gabriel and any co-conspirators should prepare to face the law in the most decisive manner. The real trouble has only just begun and it will not be fought on social media, but in court, through the strength of evidence and the rule of law.
“Let the public be assured; defamation is not activism, and I will ensure that the lines are drawn clearly in the courtroom,” he stressed.
