Court fines Halima Abubakar N10m for defaming Apostle Suleman.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered actress Halima Abubakar to pay a fine of N10 million as damages to Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, for publishing derogatory statements against him.
Additionally, the court has issued a restraining order against Abubakar, prohibiting her from further disseminating defamatory remarks about the apostle.
The judgment, as per the Certified True Copy, reveals that the cleric accused Abubakar of spreading libellous content on her Instagram page @halimabubakar, which was subsequently picked up by various blogs and newspapers.
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In his testimony, the cleric detailed the accusations made against him by Abubakar on her Instagram platform, asserting that her statements were both false and maliciously intended for public consumption.
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Among the allegations, Abubakar reportedly labeled him as a womanizer and accused him of engaging in diabolical practices.”
Following the process, Abubakar said: “Shan, you said you don’t think I am smart? lol, ask Sule. At your big age, I am glad Ejes Gist News sent that list. Thank you Ejes Gist News for calling me out. I for dey lie and lie for Sule? Never. God bless you Ejes Gist News. But your list is small for real. Johnson try me.
“Supporting you on your lies won’t work again. Anyone who involves his/her self will be tagged a bloodsucker. All of you supporting nonsense. No be Sule again, why do they bleed? They know the truth.
“Johnson Suleman wake up and untie her!! you must untie her. You owe her two kids you evil man… Not even how is your health for 4 years… my sister must survive O!
“PIs, don’t worry about me. But you can hold Johnson Suleman responsible just in case you can’t do anything though. Nigerians be aware, if anything happens Johnson you.
“You told her to wait for you to find out why! Knowing well what you did. Giving you space is not possible. How many women have you done this to? you said it yourself that you can’t solve it! why can’t you solve it? Then you disappeared. Not a word since! With all the calls, Tex’s, etc. Sule, she believed you. Nigerians this man is dangerous and a hazard to society from ppl like this.”
In his judgment, Justice Enobie Obanor noted that Abubakar was allowed to defend herself in the matter but failed to do so.
The judgment reads: “This issue is therefore resolved in favour of the claimant. Accordingly, judgment is entered in favour of the claimant as follows:
“A declaration that 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 N10,000,000.00 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 judge also ordered Abubakar to publish a retraction of her defamatory statements on her Instagram handle @Halimabubakar.
“An order of this Honourable Court compelling the defendant to pay for the deleting of all links and reportage of the said defamatory comments on all platforms on the internet,” the judge added.
