When the Izien story began few days ago, no one expected it to snowball so fast and trend for so long. Let’s bring you up to speed.
On the 5th of October 2016, a lady named Ahunna came on over on Twitter pointing fingers at a certain Izien Aigbodion, (he tweets @ImNotAHooligans), who owns the design label Looks Like A Good Man for his alleged predatory habits since 2013. According to Ahunna, who tweets @QueenCleo and some other women who have come forward, Izien’s MO was to get sweet on a girl, and after she had become comfortable enough to send him nude pictures, he would use that as leverage to threaten her to sleep with him or obtain some sort of sexual favour.
See below:
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783575238822989824
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783575677480136704
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783576380969783297
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783577491424280576
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783579815026814976
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783583712277630976
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783583998731837440
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783584196967235585
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783584334108385280
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783585528239259648
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783586626282721280
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783588787167240192
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783589049621557249
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783590055176572928
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783628710058557441
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783626088916381696
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783673556475445248
https://twitter.com/QueenCleo_92/status/783643358333923328
Izien did not take kindly to the allegations and did not waste any time giving Ahunna a piece of his mind. Here are his denials:
But Twitter was not sleeping. Hear from one of the victims:
In case you have been wondering why I am so vocal about this debacle… I was a victim. And I am ready to testify in any court.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
Unfortunately I don't need have any evidence to present as this happened in 2011/2012 and that phone/twitter account is long gone.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
But the people who have known me since that time knew when this happened. It wasn't a secret.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
Because it is obvious some of you need a scapegoat to shame before you can believe 30 women. I'm ready. Bring it on.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
I have lived in fear since that time. And shame. Dealt with body image issues. Etc. But it is like you people want more so I dey.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
Yes. Same Izien. I had to get in touch with the police who told me to beg him to delete the account. So yah, that is what the police does.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
For those of you asking why people don't go to the police. Lol. I was even lucky to have an understanding policeman.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
What did Izien do? Shit. Y'all are making me dig up repressed information but let me try my best to appease the gods.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
We started talking, we were really into each other and were planning to hook up. Pictures were exchanged and all. Talking talking etc.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
Then he asked me to send him money for him to come see me. Me? I was like nah I'm not that rich or that desperate. Abuja boys never finish.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
That was that. He started being verbally abusive on twitter. I ignored it for weeks. Then one day I cracked a joke about broke guys…
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
…Who beg girls for transport fare. I didn't mention any names because I'm not tasteless, just a dry joke cracker. Lol error fa.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
A few days later an account popped up with my name and handle and pictures I sent to Izien. He was tagging the whole twitter. Lol.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
And that was when my horror started. I looked for hackers, talked to the police. They talked to him. Police told me to apologise. I did.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
Izien said it was his friends who put up the pictures. lol I said okay sha no wahala just sorry biko. Left twitter for years until recently.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
That is the best summary I can give for that horrific experience. I thank God, God is amazing.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
The only reason I answered is because of people like you who need people to rehash gory details before you believe they were hurt.Thank you. https://t.co/NjGrRrfr6J
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
And let me just state that I didn't approach Queen Cleo.But when I saw her timeline that morning I had to respond so she wouldn't feel crazy
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
My conscience wouldn't have let me rest with people thinking women were lying against Izien. Still people doubted. So I just had to do this.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
This is something I buried but sometimes you have to face discomfort in exposing the truth. So no wahala. This is my truth.
— Aperitivo (@Aperitivo275) October 7, 2016
The day after, men decided to step into the fray.Here’s what they had to say.
Yesterday sha several women spoke up about 6 years of harrassment by a known predator and Ive never seen our twitter daddies more silent.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
They all waited it out, then came in the evening and tweeted about football and paying for dates as though they couldn't see the RT's.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Just in case you were wondering what the difference was between empty rhetoric/english and actual solidarity with women.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Just in case you were wondering what the difference was between empty rhetoric/english and actual solidarity with women.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Izien has been doing this for years, and these men knew or heard, because none of them expressed shock or surprise.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
He tried to emotionally manipulate my friend in 2012, monitored when she was online, accused her of stringing him along, called her names.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Would block her, then come back and beg. This went on for months. Thankfully she was not in Naija so she could well and truly avoid him.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
But it bothered enough that she had to confide in him to reassure herself that she wasn't really the things he accused her of.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
I can only imagine how much things could have gotten if she actually lived here or was interested in him. He isnt the only one, there are…
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
several others, different M.O's, that prey on young women, using persuasion and manipulation and threats, and silence keeps them active.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Telling your female friends in secret to 'avoid' a guy and not telling them why is complicity. It is not solidarity.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Counselling your female friends and helping them 'move on' after they get harassed/assaulted by these men is complicity, not solidarity.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
Anything but actually speaking out and or personally confronting these men is complicity, especially when you have influence.
— Lucifer (@Edgothboy) October 6, 2016
that is my tweet. pic.twitter.com/dXPqAnXqR0
— Gboye (@mcgboye) October 7, 2016
Wait. It appears Kaelo and Izien are friends pic.twitter.com/h0nTdCQNYi
— Gboye (@mcgboye) October 7, 2016
Hmm.. Just coming up to speed with this story and this point can't be ignored.. https://t.co/q96ysi1ikT
— Nnayelugo (@Eloka51) October 7, 2016
Nna.. Ihe naeme na this Twitter…. This political Twitter is blinding me to the things happening here… This Izien guy deserves Jail time
— Nnayelugo (@Eloka51) October 7, 2016
Some cautioned restraint and insisted on proof
No need to be emotional. Those of you saying "No need to ask for proof" are capable of lynching suspected criminals. It is so simple.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
I don't know how to explain this and I am tired. But may people not say "No need for proof" if tomorrow,someone accuses u of something grave
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
That is how jungle justice happens : "Thief, that guy stole my phone". B4 d poor guy can explain himself, tyre, petrol, matches. Death
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
Akoba adaba, olorun maje ari. Eshey tao mowo, tao mese, olorun maje Ki a je iyae.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
No one is asking for proof cos he is forcing himself to not believe. One is asking for proof cos it is the normal thing to do.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
Went to visit a babe late 2014. Had a meeting on the Island one Sunday and decided to stop over and say hi.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
I had no designs on this babe. Just a friendly visit in the afternoon. She sat on her bed and I sat on a chair.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
From nowhere, she said "You know I can actually accuse you of rape and everyone is going to believe me? "
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
Fear stricken, I asked her why. And she said "People know you. You are the guy. You have enemies. People won't bother to ask for proof".
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
She sha said it was a joke and we laughed over it. But I faked a call, ran away and never ever saw her again. Never ever.
— Baṣọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) October 7, 2016
The proof that was asked for was served in form of Izien’s old tweets and more stories. These are the blackmail receipts
I just received this. Apparently he's been doing this as far back as 6 years ago. I hope they treat his fuck up. pic.twitter.com/5HNDwjk0FX
— Big Daddy Gersh (@__gershom) October 6, 2016
When you're an expert in a field… pic.twitter.com/FoPo5W29pf
— ? (@vernalsage) October 7, 2016
And feminist Twitter won
This exchange is gold. pic.twitter.com/d3VeyPrKJi
— T. Rankïn' ∆ (@AfroVII) October 7, 2016
I think a public apology will be much better for him. Just admit and apologize sincerely. https://t.co/bwAnCZMCEU
— Princess Pepisko Pepeye (@MissIgho) October 7, 2016
Heyyyyy feminists have scored one today. /-o https://t.co/CGSxyaYLMg
— Princess Pepisko Pepeye (@MissIgho) October 7, 2016
Wonder what today will bring.
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