Former Big Brother Naija housemate Bella Okagbue has started legal action against her ex-boyfriend, Segun Olusemo, known as Sheggz. She claims he broke a promise to marry her, abused her, and owes her money from loans she gave him during their relationship.
Bella's lawyers served Sheggz with a pre-action notice on Saturday. This has turned their bitter fallout into a possible legal fight.
The notice demands repayment of loans totaling £10,166 and ₦19.826 million. It also warns of more legal action due to claims of domestic abuse and Sheggz's failure to keep promises to marry Bella.
This news comes just days after Sheggz's lawyers sent a cease-and-desist notice to Bella. They accused her of making false statements about him and his family.
How it started
Bella and Sheggz met during the 2022 BBNaija Level Up season. Their relationship became one of the most-watched parts of the show.
After leaving the show, they continued dating and became known as "SheLLa" among fans. Their relationship lasted about four years, which included living together in the UK.
However, Sheggz confirmed on August 19 that he ended the relationship in January. He said unresolved issues of trust and respect were the reasons he could not consider marriage.
Sheggz denied cheating on Bella or abusing her. He claimed he has been single since their breakup. He said he bought an engagement ring because he truly believed they would marry.
Bella responded by saying, "wanting marriage with someone you love is not desperation. Knowing when not to marry them is discernment."
She added, "A ring doesn’t fix what made a relationship impossible," referring to what she called unfulfilled promises during their time together.
Legal battle
The public disagreement has now moved to the legal side.
Sheggz's lawyers issued a cease-and-desist and defamation notice to Bella around August 21. They accused her of making false and defamatory statements about him and his family.
The notice demands that Bella stop making these statements, remove the content in question, retract her claims, and apologize.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Bella's lawyers rejected the defamation claims as "spurious and baseless." They said Bella stands by her statements and that Sheggz borrowed money from her under false pretenses.
They also mentioned they have proof to support their claims and are ready to take the matter to court.
Bella’s claims
In the latest pre-action notice, Bella's lawyers claim that Sheggz repeatedly promised to marry her. These promises were made on TV, social media, in front of family and friends, and privately.
According to her lawyers, these promises began after they met in BBNaija in 2022 and continued throughout their relationship. They argue that the promises involved deceit and were intended to make Bella provide financial help.
The lawyers said their time living together in the UK required significant financial and emotional commitments from Bella.
They also claimed that the failure to keep the marriage promise led to stigma, reputational damage, emotional distress, and psychological harm.
The lawyers cited a Supreme Court decision in Ezeanah v Atta (2004) 7 NWLR (Pt. 873) 468 as support for the remedies available under Nigerian law.
Bella's lawyers alleged she suffered repeated physical and emotional harm, including restrictions on her movement.
They demanded that Sheggz stop making unsolicited calls and sending messages, which they said could be seen as threatening or intimidating.
The lawyers indicated that Bella is ready to reach out to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and pursue civil action over the alleged abuse and damages.
Sheggz’s position
Sheggz has denied the claims of cheating and domestic abuse.
His side insists he contributed significantly to the relationship financially. Reports from his legal team say an audit of his UK accounts shows he spent about £220,000 of his personal money on Bella while they lived in the UK.
His lawyers said he was the main provider during their time together while acknowledging Bella also contributed financially.
Sheggz's side blames the breakup on trust issues and involvement from Bella's family.
This latest legal matter is still at the pre-action stage. No court has made a decision on the claims of breach of promise to marry, domestic abuse, loans, or defamation. Both sides' claims remain disputed until any formal court proceedings take place.
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