Lesbianism scandal: ASA demands N700m compensation

When the news fitered in on February 22, 2012 that popular singer, Bukola Elemide popularly known as Asa was involved in a law suit involving allegations and counter-allegations of lesbianism, Nigerians had expressed mixed reactions over the development.

The singer was to appear at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere on February 23, 2012 after filing a legal action against the publisher of a Lagos based celebrity journal, News Of The People. The case was to be presided over by Justice A.J Coker (Mrs).

Asa was represented by her lawyer who was present in court but the lawyer eventually informed the court that the young musician was ‘indisposed’. Meanwhile, the Publisher/editor of News of the People, Loye Hamzat was personally present in the court of law.

The court stated in its roaster,  Bukola Elemide & Another VS Dockland Commercial Services with case number 19. LD/208/10.

The said case is based on a story published by News of the People on December 14-22, 2009 edition of the magazine with a bold caption ‘Lesbianism trails Asa and Manager” which alleged that the two ladies were involved in a lesbian relationship.

The case started in 2010 and the Lagos High Court adjourned the matter till April 26, 2012  when Asa’s lawyer assured that she would be physically present in court to be cross examined.

In a writ of summons instituted on her behalf by Lagos lawyer, Mena Ajakpovi, the musician and her manager, Janet Nwose, have sued the reporter of the alleged story, the editor of the magazine and the registered parent company of the magazine, Dockland Commercial Services.

The claimants have sought an order of court, declaring the allegation of lesbianism against Asa and Janet as false, illegal and a violation of their rights, more so that the allegation is entirely false.

 In addition to the declaratory orders, the two dreadlocks wearing ladies, Asa and Janet, have sued the defendants for a sum of N700 million as damages. They have also sought further orders of court restraining the defendants from further publication of malicious statements against them.

However, some journalists who had been aware of today’s court case had besieged the court premises to see the internationally acclaimed singer being cross examined in a lesbianism case. They however left disappointed.

The publishers of News of The People, we learnt are ready to engage in the legal battle with Asa on the lesbianism scandal.