The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6 has summoned Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh and her bodyguard, Gbenga, to answer allegations of assault and trespass.
The case, numbered CR/359/2024, was brought forward by Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive of Skyewise Group Limited, an Abuja-based car dealership.
According to the court summons dated August 6, 2024, both Dikeh and Gbenga are required to appear in court on August 24, 2024. The complaint alleges that Dikeh, in January, engaged with the car dealership to purchase a new Changan Uni-K 2023 model from Mikano Motors. Abuyere’s company paid N85 million to Mikano Motors on Dikeh’s behalf, with an agreement that Dikeh would complete the payment in installments over three months.
Dikeh initially paid a used 2008/2009 Lexus worth N37 million as the first deposit, followed by N3.5 million. However, she failed to pay the remaining balance by the end of April, breaching the payment terms. On May 1, Abuyere reclaimed the vehicle after unsuccessful attempts to collect the remaining balance. Although Dikeh later paid N20 million, N17 million, and N5 million, a balance of N2.1 million remained.
On July 30, after Dikeh requested the car be serviced, she was reported to have forcibly entered the dealership’s premises in Maitama, Abuja, with her bodyguard and two others. This act was described as “criminal trespass,” during which she allegedly assaulted the complainant and staff, damaged property, and threatened to use social media against the business.
Following these events, the police arrested Dikeh and her associates. The Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit also invited Dikeh for questioning regarding criminal defamation, cyberbullying, and forgery. The invitation letter from A.A. Elleman, Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, noted Dikeh’s prominent role in the ongoing investigation.
In response, Dikeh addressed the situation on Instagram, clarifying that she had neither been arrested nor jailed. “I am in my house enjoying the goodness of God,” she stated. Dikeh emphasised her status as a “law-abiding citizen” and denied any involvement in criminal activities. She further asserted, “At no point in my life has there ever been a search warrant, arrest warrant, or any other form of warrant from the Nigerian police issued to me.”
Dikeh pledged to honor any legal invitations and reiterated her commitment to protect her reputation, declaring, “I will come for you” against those spreading false information about her.
