UK Court Orders Nigerian Woman to Pay £25,000 for False Rape Allegation

A UK High Court has ordered Nigerian national Cynthia Chia to pay £25,000 in damages to Dubai-based businessman Idowu Ogunkanmi after falsely accusing him of rape and conducting a prolonged campaign of online harassment that lasted nearly nine years.

According to court findings, the case dates back to 2015, when Chia and Ogunkanmi met at the Hilton Hotel in Paddington, London. What began as a one-night encounter quickly escalated into a decade-long smear campaign fueled by fabricated claims and digital harassment. Judge Susie Alegre, who presided over the case, ruled that Chia’s rape allegation was entirely false and that her social media posts were “malicious” and “completely untrue.”

Online Abuse and Harassment

The court heard that despite prior warnings from law enforcement and even an arrest, Chia continued her harassment through multiple social media accounts. She posted damaging accusations on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, alleging that Ogunkanmi had drugged and raped her, impregnated her, molested her child, and bribed police officers to cover up the supposed crimes. None of her claims were supported by evidence, and all were deemed baseless by the court.

Ogunkanmi, a Nigerian-born energy trader and father of three, told the court that he initially gave Chia £250 to help with what he believed was a phone bill. However, when he refused to send her more money, she allegedly threatened to ruin his life. “She tried to extort me. When I didn’t comply, she launched a social media campaign full of lies,” Ogunkanmi stated in his testimony.

Previous Conviction and Injunction

Chia had also been previously convicted of assaulting a mutual friend who introduced her to Ogunkanmi. She served a 10-week jail sentence and was issued a five-year restraining order for that incident. Despite these legal consequences, she continued to defy court orders and harass Ogunkanmi online.

As part of the latest ruling, the court awarded Ogunkanmi £25,000 in damages. Although he initially sought £120,000, he expressed satisfaction with the verdict and highlighted the emotional toll false accusations can have on a person’s life and reputation. “False allegations can destroy lives. I hope this judgment sends a message, and I urge social media platforms to respond faster to malicious abuse,” he said.

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