A judge ruled Monday that the daughter of the president of Cameroon can be served with a singer’s defamation case by means other than a personal presentation of the lawsuit and summons.
Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Shirley K. Watkins issued her ruling three years after the plaintiff, Cameroonian singer Dencia, filed the lawsuit against both Anastasie Brenda Biya Eyenga, the daughter of Cameroon President Paul Biya, as well as Eyenga friend Marie Therese Yabit. The complaint also alleges civil harassment and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The judge said that rather than personal service, which Dencia has been unable to perform, the plaintiff is to post the summons on Eyenga’s social media accounts, send a copy of the summons and complaint to her attorney, email a copy of the summons and complaint to Eyenga’s last known address and file proof with copies of the tasks along with a sworn declaration they all were conducted.
“The court is aware that defendant Eyenga is well aware of this case having had attorneys appear to quash service,” a minute order prepared by Watkins’ clerk stated.
Dencia’s real name is Reprudentia Sonkey. She is known for her fashion statements and appearances on red carpets at the Billboard Music Awards, the Grammys and the American Music Awards.
In December 2024, Judge Huey Cotton granted a motion by Eyenga finding that she was not properly served.
In addition to being an entertainer, Dencia has created several skin care and clothing brands, set up various businesses and founded the skin care brand Whitenicious by Dencia, of which she was the president and CEO, the suit states. Her companies flourished due to her reputation as a popular Cameroonian singer and trustworthy entrepreneur in skin care products, the suit additionally states.
Dencia has also designed outfits for such artists as Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Christina Milian. In July 2015, Dencia was contacted by Eyenga’s public relations manager, who told the plaintiff that Eyenga, who eventually moved to Beverly Hills, admired her work and wanted her help in producing a photo shoot and in setting up her own brand, the suit states.
“During the years that followed, both (Dencia) and Eyenga maintained a cordial relationship,” the suit states. “They would both make text exchanges on a regular basis.”
Eyenga returned to Cameroon in 2019 and the two lost contact, the suit states. In June 2021, Dencia was preparing to go to Cameroon the next month in the company of other musicians, including rapper Trey Songz, when a representative for Eyenga allegedly contacted the plaintiff about a birthday engagement and performing at Eyenga’s new hotel.
Eyenga asked Dencia for help getting her Instagram account certified, the suit states. But in a subsequent dispute, Eyenga accused Dencia of creating a fake account and trying to impersonate her, even though the plaintiff explained she was preoccupied with the death of her sister from cancer and could not help Eyenga get her account certified as the plaintiff had hoped, the suit states.
Eyenga, allegedly with Yabit’s help, accused Dencia on social media of identity theft and of being a “scammer” and a “fraudster,” the suit states.
A case management conference is scheduled June 22.