“If people feel that they can say whatever they want to say, then they should be ready to face the consequences.” IK Ogbonna addresses the situation between him and the troll who called him out online

Following the antics of a social media troll, who attacked IK Ogbonna in a video with claims that he is homosexual, sleeps around with fellow actors and got married as a cover, the actor threatened the troll, Joyce Boakye with a lawsuit pending her apology and retraction.

In a recent interview with Saturday Beats, Ogbonna reportedly talked about the situation, stressing on how he is a representation of Nollywood as a brand, and how some industry veterans advised him to take the case seriously in order to avoid being stigmatized.

“I am not just an actor, I represent Nollywood,” he reportedly said. “Trolling people on social media is growing by the day. They have seen it as a cheap means to get followers on social media. I blame the media to some extent, because they hardly celebrate the good things about celebrities. I am a father. These days, our kids are on social media so they get to see these things. I got a lot of calls from my senior colleagues, most of them were really bitter about it. If people feel that they can just come on social media to say whatever they want to say, then they should be ready to face the consequences of their actions.

“There are people out there that would believe anything they see or hear on social media hook, line and sinker without researching or trying to meet the person in question. I have nothing against gay people. Everybody can live their life however they want to. But it is wrong to impose sexuality on someone. She made a video with such allegations against me. The video had so much bitterness and anger in it as if she was paid to indict me. The first time I heard about the video was when someone called to ask if I had offended anyone. When I saw it, I laughed over it and I didn’t even think about it so much.”

The actor told Saturday Beats that although he did not want to ruin anyone’s life with his intent to sue, whatever the outcome may be, Boakye brought it upon herself.

He continued, “My senior colleagues in the industry advised me not to let it slide, stressing that if something lingers for a long time, it could become a stigma. There is freedom of speech, but even at that, they should be ready to face the consequence. I do not even know the girl’s name; my lawyers are the ones handling the case. They have written to the US embassy and human rights organization. I really don’t want to hurt anybody or spoil anyone’s career but whatever comes out of it, she brought it upon herself. I am not out for her downfall at all. People should learn that you don’t have to bring anybody down to rise in life. I have built my brand to this stage, I started from scratch. Cyberbullying goes beyond what we see on the internet. It has led people to depression.”

When asked about his alleged marital problems, Ogbonna stressed that he is still very much in love with his wife, adding that every relationship had its own issues.

“You are not divorced until you are divorced. As long as an individual has not divorced who they married, they are still married. At the end of the day, no one knows what happens in my house. I cannot come out to tell the press every single thing that happens in my home. I am a social media person. I enjoy posting things online. I use my life to inspire people positively.

“In every relationship, there are always issues. Sometimes the issues can linger for a long time; it could crash the union or make it stronger… For me, I feel any woman married to a celebrity should be given an award. I give kudos to every woman married to a celebrity. It is not an easy situation for anyone.”

Speaking about his wife, Sonia Morales, who is also a relationship counselor, he noted that it is always difficult for an individual to advise themselves when they are faced with certain issues.

“A doctor cannot treat himself as well as he would treat a patient. She is an intelligent woman filled with wisdom. Sometimes when it comes to your own situation, you really don’t know how to advise yourself. Owing to the fact that she is now schooling abroad with my son – when you fight with someone who is present, you can settle that issue instantly, but when there is distance, it might linger on for some time.”

He went on to say, “At the end of the day, we still love each other. I don’t like adding ‘fuel’ to what others say. People are free to have their opinion, and they can think what they want to. I can’t please the whole world, I am not affected by what people say; they are not paying my bills in any way.”