A fashion designer, Teslimat Abubakar Adebimpe, popularly known on social media as @_TASLEEMAH, has been arraigned before the Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, over allegations of cyberbullying, defamation, and an attempt to extort ₦80,000 from a Lagos-based woman, Adunola Simbiat, under the guise of unsolicited dress services.
The legal action followed a widely publicised social media spat that began after Teslimat accused Simbiat of absconding with the payment for a dress allegedly made for her.
Simbiat in a recent press release issued in her behalf by her legal representatives, Kabir Akingbolu Salawu of Akingbolu & Co., stated that no request was ever made for the dress in question.
Background to dress ‘drama’
According to the statement signed by human rights lawyer, Akingbolu; the entire incident was a calculated attempt by Teslimat to blackmail and publicly embarrass their client after she refused to accept a “badly-sewn, low-quality” outfit forced upon her before a traditional marriage introduction ceremony in Ilorin this February.
“There was no agreement or payment arrangement for the dress. In fact, our client vehemently rejected the outfit due to its poor quality and skimpy nature. She never took delivery of it.”
The statement further explained that Teslimat, who was not a friend of Simbiat but was only introduced through a mutual acquaintance, insisted on sewing the dress despite repeated refusals. When the dress was delivered a day before the ceremony, Simbiat reportedly declined to accept it and returned to Lagos, leaving the cloth behind.
Weeks later, Teslimat allegedly demanded ₦80,000 as payment for the unsolicited service. After Simbiat stood her ground, she was allegedly subjected to an online smear campaign for four consecutive days, during which her private phone number was leaked, prompting a barrage of verbal abuse from social media users.
Dress maker docked, granted ₦1 million bail
The case has since moved to court, with Teslimat being arraigned and granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million. The matter has been adjourned to July 9, 2025 for further hearing.
Simbiat’s legal team also condemned the actions of the designer and warned against the misuse of social media to harass individuals under false pretences.
“Teslimat took to social media and began publishing outright lies that our client ran away with her money, with no proof or legal basis. This is nothing but defamation and blackmail, and we are determined to set the record straight in court,” Akingbolu said.
While there are reports that Teslimat has begun apologising privately, Simbiat’s lawyers insist that no genuine remorse has been shown publicly, especially toward the many who were misled by the online narrative.
“This case is not just about clearing our client’s name. It is about protecting Nigerians from the rising abuse of social platforms by individuals seeking to weaponise public sympathy,” the statement read.
The legal team cautioned Teslimat’s associates to refrain from further defamatory commentary, warning that ignorance will not be a defence when the law takes its course.
