MICHAEL AKINOLA
A mild drama ensued on Friday March 1 inside the Lagos High Court as the N100million defamation suit brought against broadcast journalist Toke Makinwa by her ex-husband, Maje Ayida came up for hearing before Hon Justice Oluwakayode Ogunjobi.
A witness and Ayida’s mistress, Anita Solomon told the court during cross examination by Toke’s lawyer that she never gave Ayida any Sexually Transmitted Disease, STD as claimed by Toke in her book, On Becoming.
Anita told the Court that she only got pregnant for Ayida, a fitness guru, exactly six months after the couple had signed a legal document certifying their separation, which her lover showed to her as a proof.
In 2017, Ayida revealed his intentions to take legal actions against his ex-wife over the content of her memoir which his lawyers described as containing “defamatory words.”
According to them, On Becoming is an “exaggerated fabrication.”
Ayida through his lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) of Pinheiro LP, initiated the proceedings on February 7, 2018 at the Lagos Judicial Division of the high court, Lagos State.
Toke is a defendant in the N100 million suit where Ayida is also reportedly suing the publishers of the book, Kachifo Limited.
The legal documents also revealed that Ayida has asked the courts to donate the proceeds to four charities which will be nominated by him.
During proceeding on Friday, Toke’s lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN) tried to paint an image of Ayida as someone of questionable character, to which Ayida’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) retorted that why did Toke asked Ayida to go on holiday with him to Zanzibar after they have even separated as a couple.
Toke’s lawyer has also described her as an advocate for women but Ayida’s lawyer countered with the question; “What is she advocating? Bleaching and telling young girls to have sex?”
Anita, half-Lebanese, half-Nigerian, is a lawyer and used to run a beauty parlor in Calabar, Cross River State.
She has reportedly been in a relationship with Ayida for nearly a decade but he broke off with her briefly to get married to Toke and later waltzed his way back into her heart.
They now have a three-year old baby boy between them.
The case between Toke and her ex-husband has been adjourned to March 29, 2019.
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