The internet has seen an increase in the number of celebrities who have had their most private moments made public in recent years.
Although some argue that these leaks are intentional attempts by celebrities to get attention or recognition, like as the case of American socialite Kim Kardashian, who was accused of releasing a 2002 intimate video in 2007, a month before the premiere of her family’s reality TV show.
It is crucial to acknowledge that a significant number of people are actually the targets of extortion and blackmail, and that criminal groups use these leaks to humiliate their targets if their requests are not granted.
The latest Nigerian celebrity to face this scandal is Popular content creator Kuye Adegoke, better known as Egungun of Lagos.
Following Pashotah’s public statement regarding a blackmail attempt involving her husband’s private video, in which she claimed that a Snapchat user had screen-recorded a private video that Egungun had meant to send her while on the road but inadvertently shared on their story, the blackmailer proceeded to post the video.
Egungun posted a video of himself dancing vivaciously with a woman in his room to the popular song “Gimme love,” which was sung by Zlatan and Olamide, on his Instagram page lately, despite receiving a lot of criticism. He wrote as the video’s caption, “That’s huge, baby, but still show me your love.”
Reactions have been divided on the internet, with many individuals casting doubt on Egungun’s standing as a family man and raising concerns about how strongly his wife protected their union during the blackmail ordeal.
Tiwa Savage, a famous Nigerian musician, was another famous artist swept up in the sex tape controversy that rocked the entertainment industry in October 2021.
The singer made the startling admission in an interview with The Angie Martinez show on New York Power 105.1 FM. She said that those who had obtained access to the tape had started threatening her and demanded money to keep it safe.
However, the footage made its way online, potentially causing shame and grief for the singer.
Read also: Nigerians react as Tiwa Savage claims she rejected Range Rover gift from man
Nollywood actress Moyo Lawal’s sex tape went viral in September 2023, the explicit video footage shows the actress performing an intimate act with an unidentified male while they are recording the experience.
The actress clarified that the leaked film was a private recording made with her ex-fiancé and never intended for public consumption.
“The tape can’t not be used to drag me down because those I have dated know how I am when it comes to the subject,” stated Moyo Lawal, despite the video’s widespread virality.
In February 2021, Ikuforiji Olaitan, also known as Oxlade, became the centre of a social media controversy after his sex tape appeared online.
The video showed the artist performing an intimate act with an unidentified woman.
When a video of Nigerian musician Small Doctor doing an explicit act of self-gratification appeared online in 2017, it also caused stir.
The sexual recording caused controversy on social media and sparked heated debate.
The video showed him stroking himself, he apologised and vehemently claimed that the footage was released without his consent after his phone was hacked.
Ismail Adebayo, also known as Isbae U, a YouTuber who had previously been accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour, met the same fate.
A leaked private video revealed him engaging in graphic behaviour while taping himself masturbating in a restroom.
Isbae U decided to keep quiet about the issue and avoid discussing the subject.
Salawa Abeni, a popular musician, issued a public plea in 2017 claiming that her nude was in the hands of a blackmailer.
The singer also said that the blackmailer had threatened to release her naked videos on social media if she didn’t match his requirements.
However, the singer released the sex tape on her own, stating that she will not be bullied.
Her blackmailer was eventually tracked down and imprisoned; he was a 100-level university student who claimed to have discovered a memory card with Salawa Abeni’s nudes at Yabatech.
In August 2023, the sex tape of Tiktok influencer Esther Raphael, also referred to as the “Buba Girl,” had everyone talking on social media.
She was seen touching herself in the video that went viral. According to reports, she shared the films to her boyfriend, who ended their relationship and then began using them as a form of blackmail.
