The legal representatives of renowned Nigerian gospel singer and evangelist, Patricia Temitope Alabi, popularly known as Tope Alabi, have issued a public notice cautioning individuals and media platforms against publishing or circulating false, misleading or defamatory statements about the gospel artiste.
The notice, dated October 23, 2026, was issued by Oakmount Legal Practitioners, solicitors to the gospel singer, and signed by Toluwanimini Okunade, Esq., on behalf of the law firm.
According to the notice, the legal action became necessary following concerns that false, misleading and injurious statements about their client had been, or might continue to be, circulated through various channels, including print publications, broadcast media, online platforms and word of mouth.
The lawyers stated that Tope Alabi had spent almost 30 years building a reputation for integrity, honour and public trust in her personal, professional and spiritual life, describing the reputation as a valuable asset protected by law.
The legal practitioners warned that anyone who publishes or causes to be published statements concerning the singer that are false, malicious or calculated to damage her reputation could face legal consequences where the publication gives rise to an actionable claim.
They explained that such publications could take different forms, including written articles, images, videos, audio recordings, social media posts, interviews, podcasts, livestreams and voice notes, as well as spoken statements.
The notice further cautioned that legal responsibility could extend beyond the original source of an allegedly defamatory statement to individuals who repeat, republish, repost, share, forward or otherwise amplify the material, depending on the circumstances and any applicable legal defences.
The lawyers also warned that operating anonymous or pseudonymous social media accounts would not automatically protect individuals from legal liability over potentially defamatory publications.
They stated that their client reserved the right to seek appropriate orders from a court of competent jurisdiction, where necessary and legally permissible, to identify persons responsible for the offending publications through relevant digital platforms, website hosts or service providers.
The notice directed anyone who had already published such material to remove it immediately and refrain from further publication.
However, the legal representatives clarified that deleting an allegedly defamatory publication would not, by itself, absolve the person responsible of any liability arising from its earlier circulation.
The lawyers disclosed that they had received instructions from their client to institute legal proceedings against anyone whose conduct gives rise to an actionable claim, without further notice.
Among the remedies the singer's legal team said it could seek are general damages and, where legally available and justified, aggravated or exemplary damages, as well as court injunctions restraining further publication of the offending material or similar content.
The notice also listed a possible court order compelling a retraction and an unreserved public apology, recovery of legal costs on a full indemnity basis, and any other relief a court might consider appropriate.
The legal practitioners added that their client reserved the right to pursue all remedies available under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refer appropriate cases to the relevant authorities.
Despite the warning, the notice expressly stated that it was not 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.
The lawyers concluded by reserving all their client's rights and remedies and urging members of the public to be guided accordingly.
The notice did not identify specific individuals, publications or statements alleged to have prompted the warning, nor did it announce that any court action had already been filed.