Halima Abubakar fined N10m for defaming Apostle Suleman

Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleiman

Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has been hit with a N10 million punishment for making defamatory remarks about Apostle Johnson Suleman, the senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International.

The actress was ordered by a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday, April 8, 2024, to give the clergyman the money as compensation.

According to a certified authentic copy of the ruling, Apostle Suleman accused the actress of making disparaging remarks about him on her Instagram page, which were then picked up by multiple blogs and media.

Justice Enobie Obanor stated in his ruling that Abubakar had the opportunity to defend herself in the case but chose not to.

Part of the judgment reads: “The statements published by the defendant against the claimant on her Instagram handle, @halimabubakar, falsely and maliciously written and published to the general public, are defamatory of the person of the claimant.

“The sum of N10,000,000 only to the claimant as aggravated and exemplary damages for libel contained in the publication of the defendant against the claimant on her Instagram handle, @Halimabubakar and caused to be published in several blogs.”

The court also prohibited Abubakar from writing about Apostle Suleman in any other publications.