Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has reacted to the controversy surrounding TikTok user Mirabel’s rape allegation, warning against the dangers of weaponising sexual assault claims.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday, the reality TV star addressed the ongoing debate triggered by the case, stressing that rape is a serious issue that should never be trivialised.
“Rape is a very serious issue. Women should never weaponise rape for any reason, because at the end of the day, you are taking away from the real victims,” Tacha said.
Her comments come amid widespread reactions to the Mirabel case, which has dominated social media discussions in recent days.
Tacha argued that false accusations make it harder for genuine victims of sexual violence to be believed and embolden those who seek to dismiss or downplay real cases. She called for accountability where allegations are found to be untrue.
“If any girl comes out to accuse a guy falsely of raping her, I honestly think she should be taught a lesson,” she added.
While acknowledging that mental health challenges may influence certain actions, Tacha maintained that consequences are necessary to underscore the gravity of false claims.
“I am not going to back down from the fact that women still do get raped. I am not going back down from the fact that there are real victims out there,” she said.
She further highlighted the emotional and psychological toll such controversies can have on both the accused and the wider public, noting that false allegations “toy with your mental health,” while reiterating the importance of protecting and supporting genuine survivors of sexual violence.