Chimamanda denies plagarism allegation; threatens lawsuit

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned Nigerian author that keeps making us proud with her literary works. 

Apparently, Anne Giwa-Amu accused Chimamanda of plagiarising parts the award-winning novel Half Of A Yellow Sun, which was published in 2006. The book tells the story of the Nigerian Biafran War through the lens of the characters. It was adapted into a film in 2010 and stars Genevieve Nnaji.

Chimamanda’s literary agents finally spoken on the issue because it seems like Giwa-Amu is not ready to drop her claims.

Taking to her Facebook page, the renowned author released the statement from her publishers. According to the statement, the case had already been heard in court, which Chimamanda won. Giwa-Amu was also asked to pay Chimamanda and her publishers the sum of £14,250 as well as to pay the legal fees of their lawyers, none of which she has paid. The statement also made it known that in the face of “present allegations are false, libellous and harassment,” they will be taking legal actions.

Read the statement below:

“STATEMENT REGARDING FALSE CLAIMS FROM ANNE GIWA-AMU

We, the Wylie Agency, are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s literary agents.

In 2016, Anne Giwa-Amu brought a legal claim against Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her publishers. Giwa-Amu alleged that Adichie’s novel HALF OF A YELLOW SUN had plagiarized her own novel. A professional independent reader was appointed to read both novels. The reader concluded that there was absolutely no basis for Giwa-Amu’s claim and advised that the claim should not be pursued. Giwa-Amu nevertheless continued with the claim.

On 15 February 2019, Anne Giwa-Amu’s claim brought against Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her publishers was struck out by the court. The court determined that her claim was ‘an abuse of the court’s process.’ The court ordered Giwa-Amu to pay Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her publishers the sum of £14,250, which Giwa-Amu failed to pay. The court also ordered Giwa-Amu to pay the legal costs Adichie incurred in defending her baseless claim. Till date, Giwa-Amu has not paid the money.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her publishers had never heard of Giwa-Amu’s novel until she brought her delusional claim. Her present allegations are false, libellous and constitute a harassment to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Further legal actions are being taken.

Signed: The Wylie Agency”

Meanwhile, Chimamanda recently told the Punch Newspaper that she considers the novel Half Of A Yellow Sun as her biggest breakthrough because it won the Orange Prize, which brought her “work to a big and mainstream audience all over the world.”