Destiny Etiko, a Nigerian actress, has served Queeneth Hilbert, a colleague, with a pre-action notice for alleged defamation.
The controversy began after Queeneth accused Destiny Etiko of taking wealthy lovers from colleagues in an Instagram post.
In a now-deleted post, Ms Hilbert said: “It has come to my attention that you (Destiny Etiko) think this is just about running around and unfollowing me. I need to understand something. This started on the Cubana Babes set, produced by Elitific Productions and directed by Ken Steve Anukah.
“On that movie set, guys, you won’t believe it. Destiny Etiko is used to this: When she sees anyone around her who she feels is okay and is funding your bills, she’ll try to snatch the person.
“Just like my ex, Tony—the one who drives a Benz—came from Benin, and I know exactly how long he was (sleeping) with you. And that’s just the beginning. The story is long, and this isn’t even the first or second time. You, who claim to be my friend, are the one stabbing me in the back.
“You break a leg and then open your legs for my man. You ran from Asaba because you knew too many people were waiting to deal with you. I’m coming for you a million times over, and this is far from over.”
However, Destiny, through her lawyers, denied the allegations in a March 7 letter. She called the allegations a ploy to harm her reputation.
She demanded Queeneth stop posting false statements, retract related videos within 48 hours, and publish a public apology.
Destiny Etiko also requested N100 million in damages, warning of further legal action if ignored.
Below is the full letter from Destiny Etiko’s legal counsel.
“We are solicitors to ‘Destiny Etiko’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘Our Client’) and on whose instruction, we write as follows: Our client is an actress, a public figure, and a well-known social media personality with a large following in the media space.
“Our client’s attention was drawn to your official Instagram publication on “queenethhilbert” dated the 6th day of March, 2025, wherein you mentioned our client’s name and alleged that our client, a reputable figure, always has the propensity of manipulating and engaging in relationships with individuals within your knowledge for the purpose of obtaining material benefits.
“You also alleged that our client had an amorous and sexual intimacy with an individual named “Tony” from Benin, and further stated that our client made false representations to the public by inflating the amount received by her in an attempt to deceive her audience.
“Our client takes these allegations very seriously and is concerned about the injury the publication would do to her reputation. Moreover, our client unequivocally denies the allegation and asserts that it is a ploy to malign and defame her reputation, cast aspersion on her personality, inflict emotional distress, and instigate the public, undermine her professional standing and lower her in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.
“Our client has informed us that your publication is not only false but malicious in all respects. Sure enough, human error is replete in our day-to-day activity but driven by a sense of responsibility, we must restitute in order to create a stable society.
“Our demand: cease and desist from publishing, disseminating, and making any further false and defamatory statements about our client. A retraction of the derogatory publication no later than 48 hours of the receipt of this letter and an apology published on the same platform you used in disseminating the defamatory statement.
“Additionally, payment of ₦100,000,000 (One hundred million Naira) as damages for the malicious publication made against our client. Take notice that failure to comply with the above request, we will have no alternative but to exercise whatever rights and remedies we have under the law. All legal rights shall be explored, including but not limited to injunctive reliefs and the institution of legal proceedings against you for defamation of character, injurious falsehood, and malicious publication made against our client.”