Ebelechukwu Enedah, counsel to Sophia Momodu in the ongoing custody dispute with singer Davido over their daughter, Imade, has demanded N1 billion in damages from the artiste over alleged harassment, cyberbullying and threats to life.
In a letter dated February 24 and issued through her legal representatives, Enedah accused Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, of defamatory conduct that allegedly harmed her professional reputation and exposed her to online attacks.
“The aggregate effect of your conduct has been devastating. Our client, a partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, a legal practitioner of over twenty (20) years’ post-call experience and a professional of impeccable standing, has, as a direct and proximate consequence of your actions, suffered severe damage to her professional reputation, acute emotional distress, well-founded fear for her own life and the lives of her family members, and tangible harm to her professional practice,” the letter reads.
It further added: “To publicly brand a lawyer of her standing as ‘the worst lawyer ever’ is not the expression of grievance. It is a deliberate and malicious act of reputational destruction, targeted at counsel for the singular reason that she discharged her professional duty with competence and without fear.”
Enedah also insisted that matters relating to the custody and welfare of a minor should not be turned into a public spectacle.
According to the letter, “It is equally settled that proceedings concerning the custody and welfare of a minor are not fit for public commentary, sensationalism, or social media spectacle.”
The controversy followed a heated court hearing in February in the custody dispute between Davido and Momodu.
Shortly after the proceedings, the singer announced on social media that he was withdrawing his custody bid.
Davido had accused the lawyer of referencing his late son during the proceedings, describing it as a “low blow”, while also sharing her name online.
Enedah, however, demanded that the singer immediately stop making any public comments about her or the ongoing court case while the matter remains before the court.
The letter further read in part: “Immediately cease and desist from any further direct or indirect commentary, publications, posts, or statements (including via affiliates or cohorts) relating to this matter, our client, opposing counsel, or the proceedings while the suit remains sub judice.”
She also demanded a public apology and retraction across the singer’s verified social media platforms and in at least two widely circulated national newspapers.
The lawyer further requested that Davido direct his followers and associates to desist from any harassment, threats or intimidation.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would leave her with no option but to commence legal action at the Lagos State High Court to enforce the claims, including the N1 billion compensation sought.
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