Asa’s N700m Lesbianism Case Suffers Setback

Bukola Elemide popularly known as Asa got what she did not bargain for weeks back at Lagos High Court where she’s battling with Lesbianism case.

The case before Justice Coker was to be heard when her star witness, Damilola Amolegbe was said to have declined to be called as a witness, telling Asa’s lawyers from Abraham Chambers that she can’t be a witness in Asa’s matter.

Having granted the music star much indulgence in the matter, the trial Judge then ordered the case to be closed and called for written address of the two parties.

It would be recalled that Asa’s first witness, Taiwo Olakunle of HiTv residing in Ebute Meta West was suddenly dropped at the earlier trial stage when she was confronted with hard evidences.

Meanwhile her manager, Janet Nwose, who was alleged to be having affair with Asa did not come up as a witness which has remained baffling to legal experts.

Speaking at the court, defendant’s lawyer, Yinka Muyiwa argued that Asa’s evidence shall be relied as he did not call for any witness

Asa Battles Questionmark Over Alleged Copyright Infringement

Nigerian international singer Asa has threatened take legal action against her former record label Questionmark Entertainment for allegedly infringing on the singer’s trademark by ‘preparing to go into commercial production of a purported Asa music production’.
A press statement released by Asa’s reps, Red Nigeria, alleges that Questionmark, in partnership with a marketing-distribution company MacKings Limited have commissioned the production of a ‘purported Asa music production titled ‘Down On Me’’.
The production according to the RED Nigeria was commissioned to a CD factory Nigerian Chronotech Limited. Chornotech however contacted Asa’s management to confirm the authenticity of this production.
‘We have informed our lawyers and appropriate action will be taken against any individual, body or corporate entity associated with this’, the statement further stressed.
Questionmark did not immediately offer comments when contacted. A rep assured us they will soon release a statement concerning the matter.
Asa’s famed battle with Questionmark owned by Kevin Luciano-Gabriel dates as far back as 2006 when the singer walked out of her production deal, alleging, amongst many other things, that the label was trying to sign her on to a foreign label without her consent, and insisting that the circumstances surrounding her deal with Questionmark were suspect ab initio.
After much highly publicised legal tussles between her and the label, she eventually walked out of the deal and released her self-titled debut album in 2006.
Asa is currently also in court with a Lagos-based publication.

N700M Homosexuality Suit: Asa Absent in Court

Asa was missing at the court hearing…
Nigerian singer Bukola Elemide, better known as Ásà was missing at a court hearing today, over a N700m lawsuit brought by her against a celebrity magazine.
Asa, in a suit ‘Bukola Elemide & Another VS Dockland Communications Services’, is suing News of the People over an article published in 2010 insinuating that she is a lesbian.
Dockland Communications Services are the publishers of the weekly publication News of the People.
The 29-year-old, who was represented by her legal counsel Abraham & CO. before a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice A.J Coker on Thursday, February 23, 2012, stated that the publication was defamatory, and prayed the court to award damages in the above-mentioned sum.

However, the judge was unable to make any ruling, as neither Asa nor her manager Janet Nwose were in court when the defendant’s counsel requested their presence for questioning. Reportedly, they are currently in France, which is Asa’s home base.
‘My lord, my client is indisposed; I plead for you to adjourn the case to a later date’, the claimants’, lawyer Mena Ajakpovi said.
The defendants’ counsel Yinka Muyiwa wasn’t happy with the plea, citing an earlier claim from the duo stating that they were actually performing at a gig in France. The judge however ruled for the case to be adjourned until April.
The saga began in 2010, when News of the People published an article stating that Asa was a lesbian, but, through their counsel, the publication says they have done no wrong, as they culled the story from an online publication.
However, despite repeated requests from us, they have failed to name the originators of the story.
The first hearing took place on November 22, 2010 at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division.
‘The issue pertaining to she being a lesbian is already in the eye of the public’, Yinka Muyiwa told 3m360. ‘And as a report coming from a publication on the internet, I do not see how they can establish a case of libel’.
Asa’s lawyer was not available to answer questions at the time of writing this report, but the law firm assured us we would get statements from them very soon.
Back in January 2010, Asa, in an interview with radio host Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi on Beat FM’s ‘Drive Time Show’, categorically stated she wasn’t gay; even though at that time she did not have a boyfriend. ‘I’m not gay we have to set it straight’, Asa said.
The court case has been adjourned to Thursday, April 26, 2012.