Event-planning firm Exquizite Events and its Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sopuruchi Gift Aaron, have denied allegations of fraud, abscondment, and criminal evasion circulating on social media, describing the claims as false and part of a calculated smear campaign.
In a pre-action notice dated 16 January 2026, issued by Leftwing Solicitors, the firm accused Mr. Kola Onifoto, owner of the Facebook page “Oni Foto (Mr. K)”, of publishing defamatory content against their clients.
According to the notice, the Facebook publication alleged that Exquizite Events fraudulently collected ₦21 million, failed to deliver services for a traditional wedding, absconded thereafter, and was being sought by law enforcement agencies.
The firm has categorically denied the allegations, stating that it never entered into any event-planning contract valued at ₦21 million with any individual.
The solicitors clarified that the only relevant engagement was an event-planning contract with Ms. Jessica Anyaso for her traditional wedding held on 17 December 2025, valued at ₦18 million, which they said was successfully delivered.
They further explained that all vendors engaged for the event were present and rendered services, except one caterer out of three, who failed to show up. Upon discovering the lapse, Exquizite Events said it immediately notified the bride and demanded a refund from the defaulting caterer.
The legal team also disclosed that Ms. Jessica Anyaso allegedly commended the successful delivery of the event in a WhatsApp message sent on 18 December 2025, a day after the ceremony.
Beyond the fraud allegations, the notice accused the Facebook page owner of publishing the firm’s business name, personal name, bank account details, and telephone numbers, thereby exposing their clients to public ridicule, threats, and reputational damage.
The solicitors maintained that there is no police declaration, warrant, or court order describing their clients as “wanted,” “on the run,” or “fugitives,” and alleged that the publication was made mala fide, without granting their clients a right of response.
Exquizite Events further alleged that the defamatory publications form part of a coordinated smear campaign, which they claim began after the parents of the bride—particularly Mr. Chidi Anyaso—became indebted to the firm to the tune of almost ₦1 million, arising from expenses incurred during the event.
According to the notice, the firm accused the indebted parties of filing false police petitions as a strategy to evade payment of the alleged debt. It also alleged that operatives of the Imo State Police Command, CID Headquarters, unlawfully arrested a staff member of Exquizite Events, Ms. Nkwonta Glory Ihuoma, on 14 January 2026, and attempted to coerce her into making statements to falsely indict the firm. The notice claimed that when this effort failed, bloggers were allegedly engaged to publish defamatory materials aimed at blackmailing the firm and destroying its business reputation.
Exquizite Events stated that it has operated in the event-planning industry for over ten years without blemish, successfully delivering high-profile events across Eastern Nigeria and beyond.
The pre-action notice signals the firm’s intention to pursue legal remedies should the alleged defamatory publications not be retracted and appropriate redress made.
