In the lawsuit, Johnson, who goes by the pen name The Ghost, claims he sent the rapper's work associate Nikki Turner a manuscript of his book Tribulation of a Ghetto Kid while he was looking for a publisher.

Johnson accuses 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, of copying the manuscript, claiming there are a number of similarities between the book and the star's drama about a drug dealer trying to become a legitimate businessman.

According to TMZ.com, the writer is demanding $200 million (£125 million) from the rapper, who produces the show and has a recurring role.

It is the latest legal drama for Jackson, who filed for bankruptcy in July (15) just days after he was ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages to a woman who accused the star of leaking her sex tape on the Internet.