Social media has recently been on fire with allegations by Nigerian socialite Sophia Egbueje, who claimed that Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy promised to buy her a Lamborghini after an intimate encounter. Naturally, this has triggered a public spectacle, with heated debates about whether such promises are enforceable. But beyond the social chatter lies an important legal question: Can Sophia legally compel Burna Boy to fulfil such a promise?
The short answer: Very unlikely.
1. WHAT MAKES A PROMISE LEGALLY BINDING?
Under Nigerian Contract Law, for a promise to become enforceable as a contract, certain elements must exist:
• A valid offer and acceptance.
• Consideration (something of value exchanged between the parties).
• Intention to create legal relations.
In cases involving personal or intimate relationships, Nigerian courts presume there is no intention to create legal relations. This principle was affirmed in the case of Balfour v. Balfour (1919) 2 KB 571, where the court ruled that agreements between spouses or partners are generally not enforceable contracts because they lack the intention to be legally binding.
In a Nigerian context, unless Sophia can demonstrate that Burna Boy’s promise was made with clear contractual intent, supported by consideration and formal agreement, such promises are typically regarded as domestic or social arrangements and thus unenforceable.
2. IS THIS TRANSACTIONAL? THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL CONSIDERATION
Now, if Sophia claims the promise was made in exchange for sexual favors, the situation becomes even more problematic legally. Under Nigerian law:
• Section 223 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act criminalizes the procurement of women for prostitution.
• Sections 224 and 225 Nigerian Criminal Code deal with offenses relating to managing or assisting in acts of prostitution.
While consensual sexual relationships are not criminal, if material benefit (such as a luxury car) is promised explicitly as consideration for sexual services, the law may treat it as an illegal contract. And as established in Fagbemi v. Ibidapo (1965) NMLR 14, courts will not enforce contracts founded on illegality.
Simply put: Courts do not enforce agreements that arise from unlawful acts.
Therefore, any promise of a Lamborghini made in exchange for sexual intimacy would likely be considered void for illegality and entirely unenforceable.
3. IS THIS LIKE A BREACH OF PROMISE TO MARRY?
It is important to separate this situation from Nigeria’s recognized breach of promise to marry claims.
Under Nigerian law, where one party makes a formal and clear promise to marry and then unjustifiably breaks that promise, the injured party can sue for damages. This principle was upheld in Ekerebe v. Evaristus (1992) 2 NWLR (Pt. 225) 708, where the court awarded damages to a woman after her fiancé ended their engagement without valid reason.
However, Sophia’s case does not involve any promise of marriage, only an alleged promise of a luxury gift after intimacy. Nigerian law does not protect individuals from unfulfilled promises of gifts in romantic contexts unless tied to marriage agreements or clear contractual obligations.
4. PUBLIC ALLEGATIONS AND DEFAMATION RISKS
An additional legal angle is the danger of making such accusations publicly. If Sophia’s claims are false or exaggerated and they damage Burna Boy’s reputation, she could potentially face a defamation lawsuit, provided Burna Boy can prove:
• The statement was false.
• It was made to a third party (the public).
• It caused reputational harm.
Defamation in Nigeria is governed by both civil law (for monetary damages) and criminal law under Sections 373–381 of the Criminal Code Act.
CONCLUSION
This incident is a textbook example of why not every promise, no matter how extravagant or viral, is legally binding. Under Nigerian law:
• Promises made in intimate or social settings are presumed non-contractual.
• Agreements involving illegal acts, like transactional sexual arrangements, are unenforceable.
• Claims like Sophia’s do not qualify as a breach of promise to marry, which is the rare romantic promise Nigerian law recognizes.
In the end, while it might be entertaining for social media, legally, Sophia’s alleged Lamborghini promise doesn’t hold much weight. It serves as a reminder that the law respects contracts but does not enforce personal or immoral bargains.
