Segun Atanda/
A Nigerian social media user, Samuel Adeboye Adeyeye, popularly known online as “Swanky_concept”, has reportedly been sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty to spreading false information about the daughter of music stars Adekunle Gold and Simi.
According to details circulating on social media and reports monitored online, Adeyeye was convicted over a viral post in which he falsely claimed that the couple’s young daughter, Deja, had died from a rare illness.
The development has sparked widespread conversations about cyberbullying, fake news and the growing culture of sensational “clout chasing” on social media platforms, particularly X.
The trending report indicated that Adeyeye, who allegedly operated the X handle “@Swanky_concept”, pleaded guilty on May 14 to charges bordering on cyberbullying, defamation and malicious misinformation.
The report further stated that he was sentenced yesterday following complaints lodged by the musicians.
The case is said to have been prosecuted under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, a law increasingly being invoked against online harassment, identity-related offences and the deliberate spread of false information.
The false claim first surfaced earlier this year when an X user posted that Adekunle Gold and Simi’s daughter had died from Canavan disease, a rare inherited disorder.
The post rapidly gained traction online before being debunked.
The viral post triggered outrage across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the act as cruel and dangerous.
Popular media personality Do2dtun was among those who publicly criticised the post, describing it as an extreme attempt to generate engagement and monetise online traffic.
Following the backlash, the user behind the false claim reportedly apologised publicly, admitting that the information shared had not been verified before posting.
Although full court documents were not immediately available as of press time, multiple online reports said the defendant pleaded guilty before being handed the prison sentence.
Many social media users described the conviction as a strong warning that online actions can attract real-life legal consequences.
The case also comes amid growing scrutiny of so-called “banger boys”, a term often used for social media users accused of posting fabricated or provocative content solely to attract impressions, engagement and revenue online.
Adekunle Gold and Simi, who married in 2019, are among Nigeria’s most celebrated celebrity couples.
Their daughter, Deja, was born in 2020.
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