Reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija winner Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has threatened legal action against streamer Carter Efe over an alleged false claim that they had a sexual relationship.

In a pre-action letter dated July 30, Phyna warned that she could seek N500 million in damages if Carter Efe fails to retract the statement and apologise.

Alleged defamatory statement

The letter, signed by Segun Ojienoh of Eko Solicitors & Advocates, accused Carter Efe, whose real name is Joseph Oderhohwo Efe, of making the claim during a Twitch and X livestream on July 25.

According to the letter, Efe repeatedly stated, “You slept with me” during the broadcast.

Phyna’s lawyers argued that the remark damaged her reputation and exposed her to public ridicule.

“As you coldly calculated, the sinister statement has since been rebroadcast on numerous platforms and by handles which are legion, thereby escalating the untoward damage already visited on Phyna,” the letter reads in part.

“The above defamatory words which you uttered were packed with innuendos suggesting that Phyna will sleep with anyone with a significant online following to get featured on livestreams, especially when the statement is rationalised alongside the sentences uttered in the sequence following the defamatory words.”

Demands for retraction

The legal team asked Efe to withdraw the statement within seven days. They also demanded a public undertaking that he would not make similar remarks in the future.

“Consequently, PHYNA NOW DEMANDS THE FOLLOWING,” the letter stated.

“1. that you retract this statement within 7 days of your receipt of this letter in a contrite manner.

“2. that you publish an undertaking that you will not assassinate her character again.

“3. that your retraction be via a livestream on the same channels that you used to mutilate her character.

“4. She graciously demands nothing more – she chooses to set the value of monetary damages demanded at N0.00 (Zero Naira, Zero Kobo) at this stage.”

N500m lawsuit threat

Phyna is not seeking financial compensation for now. However, her lawyers warned that she would go to court if Efe ignores the demands.

“If you do not meet any – or all – of the above demands, TAKE NOTICE THAT, without prejudice to other rights, reliefs and remedies available to her, Phyna will be seeking legal redress against you by claiming a sum not less than a sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) only as general, exemplary and aggravated damages, for the malicious damage you did to Phyna’s character.”

Carter Efe had not publicly responded to the letter as of the time of filing this report.