ESPN anchors Molly Qerim, Malika Andrews and Stephen A. Smith get a three-year restraining order against the 41-year-old New Jersey doctor accused of stalking, trespassing and sending vulgar, threatening messages
- The order protects Qerim, Smith, Andrews, Andrews’ fiancée and Smith’s sister
- Ahmed Abubakar has agreed to remain 100 meters away from the ESPN hosts
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
ESPN anchors Molly Qerim, Malika Andrews and Stephen A. Smith have been granted a three-year restraining order against an alleged stalker accused of having an “unhealthy obsession” with the network stars.
Ahmed Abubakar, 41, an internal medicine doctor based in New Jersey, was named in the workplace violence restraining order Tuesday in Los Angeles, where he was recently accused of visiting the network’s Southern California studios in an attempt to confront Andrews.
Tuesday’s ruling follows a temporary restraining order filed on Andrews’ behalf last month. The protective order also protects Andrews’ fiancée, ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin, and Smith’s sister Sumatra Hawkins, another ESPN employee.
Abubakar agreed Friday to remain 100 yards away from Qerim, Andrews and Smith at ESPN’s lawyer’s request. He was previously accused of entering Qerim’s Connecticut home and the network has claimed he poses an “imminent threat” to his hosts.
As revealed in legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Abubakar allegedly sent obscene and threatening direct messages to ESPN hosts via social media.
Ahmed Abubakar (pictured) agreed to remain 100 meters away from Smith, Andrews and Qerim
ESPN anchor Molly Qerim (pictured) was reportedly confronted by Ahmed Abubakar at her home
Stephen A. Smith (left) and Malika Andrews (center) are also named in the protective order
“You evil bastard,” began a message in the lawsuits, allegedly sent to Qerim by Abubakar.
“You liked telling me you never met me,” the message continued. ‘I hope endometriosis destroys all your sexual organs so you never have a man again…’
“May God punish you in hellfire for all eternity.”
In another social media post dated May 5, Abubakar shared a photo he appears to have taken near ESPN studios in Los Angeles.
Andrews claims in court that she started receiving the messages in September 2022, while Qerim said she started hearing from Abubakar a year earlier.
Ahmed Abubakar allegedly sent a series of vulgar, threatening messages to ESPN on-air hosts
Abubakar shared a photo from outside ESPN’s LA studios on May 5, according to court records
In other messages, Abubakar used Smith’s Twitter account to alert the host that he was watching him at his Los Angeles office. (Smith and Qerim also tape their show First Take at ESPN’s studios in Manhattan)
“See you @stephenasmith at ESPN Studios alongside @malika_andrews @JalenRose and @RealMikeWilbon,” Abubakar reportedly wrote.
Abubakar accused Qerim of owing him $5,000, prompting him to confront her in Connecticut. As a result, he has been indicted on charges of harassment, physical endangerment and trespassing.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for December.