Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect changes made to Michael’s record management status. The phrase, “signed to NATIVE Records” has been removed.
Nigerian singer Adams Olabode Michael, professionally known as Smada, has been called out for posting an explicit video of a female X (formerly Twitter) user, after she posted that she had stopped listening to his music.
Michael’s actions came after the X user said she no longer supported him as she did in 2020 since rape allegations were raised about him.
The singer took to his X page and uploaded a now-deleted video of the lady dancing in underwear, which was sent to him—as seen in the posted screenshot—in 2020. In response, She clarified that she did not consent to her video being posted publicly as she had sent it to him privately.
Having been called out for his behaviour, the singer deleted the video from his timeline. However, it had hit over 87k+ views at the time and then posted an apology online, which he later deleted, before putting up a new one which reads:
“I posted a video of (name withheld) vibing to my music years ago on twitter earlier today and right after she mentioned she didn’t want it posted, I deleted it.
Public sentiments claimed it was revenge porn but that was never my intention as I only wanted to prove she was listening to my music. I have apologized to her privately and I am also doing that in public now. Thank you”
The internet ensures and opens pathways to novel forms of abuse, including cyberstalking, cyberbullying, the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, doxxing to cause harm alongside in-person violence, deep fakes and even sexploitation, amongst others.
These abusive behaviors are termed Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) or Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Michael’s actions are an instance of this sort of violence. At the time the material was made, there may have been consent to the recording by the subject. This consent is not all-encompassing and does not include permission to share said material.
In an older essay, Document Women spoke on revenge pornography, where there is the dissemination of sexually explicit images or videos without the consent of the person in them. In cases where the subject does not consent to the recording or the recording is made under duress, the distribution of this material is merely a secondary step in an already existing violation.
The word “revenge” in “Revenge Porn” implies malicious intent. It is a blanket term that describes revenge situations and all forms of “image-based sexual abuse” or nonconsensual pornography.
The 2015 Nigerian Cybercrimes Act in Section 24 provides that;
(a) Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or
(b) he knows to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7, 000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
You may recall that in January 2023, Michael and his friends had been accused of gang-raping a lady, to which Michael released a statement defending his innocence.
“On the 17th of January 2023, someone published incorrect information about me regarding a sexual assault allegation. I was shocked and highly disoriented at the publication, was also disappointed at the unwarranted malicious conduct of this person, especially after she admitted to having no proof of her allegations in the said publication. Having said that, it is of utmost importance to me that use this medium to state that I, Adams Olabode Michael, say this allegation is false and wholly unfounded.
Also. I have been reluctant to speak publicly on this due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. I do not take it for granted in any manner. Sexual assault is a real issue in the world today especially for women thus should be handled with extreme sensitivity. I strongly believe that sexual assault is an act against humanity and will continue to do everything in my power to support the victims. I strongly share the sentiment that once an abuser has been correctly identified, he/she should be held accountable for their actions. However, unsubstantiated sexual assault allegations can impact those incorrectly accused. know this because I speak from personal experience. I do not intend to trigger or upset anyone by these statements; I simply need to speak my truth against this slanderous accusation. The allegation is venomous and an attempt to attack my image and career for reasons known only to her. I, Smada have always lived my life as a reputable human being who loves and wants to create music for the world to hear. In any event, any attempt to destroy image and reputation will be dealt with accordingly.”
In February 2023, the singer took to X to share his side of the story after which he claimed that his solicitors had sent a cease and desist letter to her and thus, she had since deleted her account.
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