The two Nigerian brothers associated with the Jussie Smollett case, Ola and Abel Osundairo (shown above left), filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Smollett’s legal team on Tuesday.

Smollett, an actor on “Empire,” alleged in late January he was attacked by two white men on the streets of Chicago in the middle of the night on January 29. He told police two masked men went after him as he was walking home from a Subway sandwich shop at around 2 a.m.

He said the men yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, tied a rope around his neck, and said, “Welcome to MAGA country” — then left him to tend to his injuries.

Related: The Justice System Isn’t Done with Smollett Just Yet

Chicago police investigated the attack and found that the actor made up the whole story, paid the brothers to pull off the “attack,” and took his story national to gain sympathy.

The Osundairo brothers insist that it’s true — but Smollett denied the whole affair.

JUST IN: Brothers who say they helped Jussie Smollett stage an attack against the "Empire" actor sue his attorney for defamation. https://t.co/W1QYV4GDGk

— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) April 23, 2019

The brothers were initially arrested as suspects in the alleged attack in January on Smollett, only to be released later. They make the claim in a lawsuit against two of Smollett’s defense attorneys, Mark Geragos and Tina Glandian, who continued to say in media appearances that the brothers engaged in the attack. The brothers are suing under claims of defamation and false light.

In a controversial move last month, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office dropped all criminal charges against Smollett over the allegedly faked hate crime after he paid $10,000 and performed community service.

The brothers contend in the lawsuit that “Mr. Smollett used his clout as a wealthy actor to influence Plaintiffs, who were in a subordinate relationship to him and were aspiring to ‘make it’ in Hollywood.”

The brothers add, “Mr. Smollett’s motivation was simple. He wanted his employer and the public to notice and appreciate him as a successful black, openly gay actor. So, Mr. Smollett directed every aspect of the attack, including the location and the noose.” (source: Chicago Sun-Times)

Osundairo brothers statement on #JussieSmollett case: "We have sat back & watched lie after lie being fabricated about us in the media only so one big lie can continue to have light. These lies r destroying our character and reputation & personal life…(1/2)

— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) April 23, 2019

It is so obvious that powerful Democrats have no interest in the truth or administering justice in this case. To me, Smollett’s crime is worthy of the same punishment that someone would receive for doing the alleged crime itself.

He easily could have motivated others to act in vengeance; his hoax will make people question legitimate victims more aggressively.

Smollett’s lack of repentance and apology also says a great deal about his arrogance and selfishness.

As for the Osundairo brothers, sorry, but their credibility is shot with me. By their own admission, they practiced the “attack” before the actual event. It strains common sense that they didn’t understand what they were getting into with this situation.

Related: New Chicago Mayor Has Questions About Smollett Case

In my view, they must have had a very good idea of the plot ahead of time, and there is also the “white powder” letter sent one week beforehand — which clearly proclaimed MAGA supporters wrote and sent it. The feds removed magazines and a book of stamps from the brothers’ apartment.

I am anxious for more details in this case to come out.

This piece originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.

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