Being a public figure can be quite unsettling in today’s climate.
Malika Andrews has reported that a man has been causing distress to her and other ESPN on-air personalities, including Stephen A. Smith. The situation became so alarming that she filed for a restraining order against the individual last week.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports, Andrews alleges that Ahmed Abubakar, a 41-year-old resident of New Jersey, has been tormenting her and some of her colleagues for much of the past year.
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It all began with messages on X in September 2022, initially appearing as actions from an overly enthusiastic fan. However, it quickly escalated into threatening and harassing behavior.
The situation took a darker turn when Abubakar somehow obtained her unlisted phone number over the summer and began making numerous unwelcome calls. Furthermore, Andrews claims that Abubakar exhibited similar conduct towards Stephen A. Smith and “First Take” host Molly Qerim.
In a particularly troubling incident, Abubakar was arrested in August for allegedly showing up unannounced at Qerim’s home in Connecticut.
Andrews expressed her concerns about Abubakar’s recent visit to ESPN’s Los Angeles facility, where he sought contact with her, Smith, and Qerim, leading her to fear for her safety.
As a result, she requested a temporary restraining order from the court, seeking protection for herself and others, including Smith and her fiancé, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin. Shortly after her filing, the TRO was granted, and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for later this month.
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