The Actors Guild of Nigeria has suspended popular actress Halima Abubakar for allegedly spreading false information about fellow actors and high-profile individuals.
According to a statement released on Friday, the decision followed a two-year investigation into her involvement in spreading unfounded rumours, particularly about extramarital affairs between actors and notable Nigerians.
The Guild revealed that a special secret investigation panel was set up in 2022 to look into slanderous reports circulating in the industry.
Halima has recently been at the center of a controversy involving allegations of extramarital affairs among actresses and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In July 2024, a controversial blogger mentioned Dakore Eguson, Ini Edo, and Nancy Isime among a list of female celebrities who are alleged to be ‘Side chicks’ of the Senate President.
The list includes Hilda Baci, Dakota Lawson, an emerging fashion star, and Wanneka, a hair vendor.
Although the Senate President has denied these allegations, asserting that his wife is sufficient for him, while Egbuson-Akande has threatened legal action against the blog for defamation24, the AGN panel concluded that Halima was responsible for leaking false stories about her colleagues and patrons.
The AGN statement read: “Following the thorough investigative report by the special Secret Investigation Panel set up to conduct an internal underground secret investigation… the Panel found out that Miss Halima Abubakar was behind all the slandering information.”
As a result, Halima Abubakar has been placed on indefinite suspension. During this time, she is prohibited from participating in any AGN activities or filming. The Guild also warned that violations of the suspension rules could result in further disciplinary actions.
“She will face the National Disciplinary Committee to determine her full punishment,” the statement added.
The AGN also noted that some other female members are currently being investigated in connection with similar allegations.
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This is not Miss Abubakar’s first rodeo with defamation controversy, in April 2024, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ordered the actress to pay N10 million for publishing defamatory statements about Apostle Johnson Suleman on her Instagram account and other platforms. The court found her claims to be false and malicious
Halima’s allegations against Suleman included accusations of him failing to fulfill a promise to marry her and causing her a life-threatening ailment.
These claims were made public over several months in 2022, leading to a lawsuit initiated by Suleman, who sought N1 billion in damages for defamation.
