Nigerian music star Davido has instructed his lawyers to sue over an April Fool's joke that has spectacularly backfired.
The prank story alleged that Afrobeats singer had been arrested in Kenya after cocaine was found on his private jet.
The 31-year-old, who has just finished an East African tour, said the fake report was "extremely irresponsible".
"I have never been arrested by anyone in any country for any crime in the world," he said on social media.
"Not my home Nigeria, my home America, or any of the hundreds of countries I've made home throughout my career," his statement on X, formerly Twitter, continued.
The April Fool's story - first published by Kenya's K24 TV on Monday - went viral on social media.
The Nigerian megastar, who had just performed to packed audiences at the Timeless Concert in Kampala and Raha Fest in Nairobi, said it led to him receiving a barrage of calls.
Such was the backlash that Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tweeted a screengrab of the headline with "Fake News" stamped across it mid-morning on Monday.
"I want to assure my fans that these reports are entirely untrue. I successfully completed my scheduled shows in Uganda and Kenya and have since returned home to Nigeria," Davido said on Tuesday.
"I find the fabrication of allegations of such international crimes extremely irresponsible regardless of the light of 'April Fools', and my lawyer is seeking legal recourse against the media parties responsible for generating this misinformation."
K24 TV has not responded to Davido's move to initiate legal action.
Many Kenyans felt the prank was inappropriate, but some have been commenting on social media that they hope the debacle can be resolved amicably.
Latest Stories
-
AfDB warns about high level of debt facing African countries
3 mins -
Chief Justice asks Kissi Agyebeng to respond to impeachment allegations
10 mins -
TEKNO teams up with EmPaw Africa for upcoming song ‘Wayo’
20 mins -
Africa Nyornu targets 1,000 girls for menstrual hygiene training
28 mins -
Creating the OSP was an international obligation, not just a political promise – Bobby Banson
43 mins -
Mass wedding plans for Nigerian orphans spark outrage
59 mins -
Kissi Agyabeng’s impeachment: Martin Amidu fears his successor outshining him – Edem Senanu
1 hour -
NDC applauds EC’s decision to replace voter IDs of Akosombo dam spillage victims
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo reaffirms commitment to media freedom
2 hours -
Labour Commission directs FWSC to resume negotiations with Medical Lab scientists
2 hours -
New Ejisu MP, Kwabena Boateng sworn-in
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo calls on media to champion environmental sustainability
2 hours -
Despite risk of relegation, Bofoakwa Tano are set for an exciting end to their season
2 hours -
Martin Amidu’s reasons for opposing Kissi Agyabeng flimsy – Samson Lardy Anyenini
2 hours -
Address our other 35 questions regarding missing BVR kits – Fifi Kwetey to EC
3 hours