Court fines Actress Halima Abubakar N10m for defaming Apostle Suleman

An FCT High Court has awarded the sum of N10 million against Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar for publishing libelous statements about the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

In his judgment on Monday, Justice Enobie Obanor noted that Abubakar was allowed to defend herself in the matter but failed to do so. He ordered the movie star to pay the amount to the cleric as damages.

In a certified true copy of the judgment, Apostle Suleman accused Halima of publishing derogatory comments against him on her Instagram page, which were then published by several blogs and newspapers.

The judgment partly 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.”

After slamming the fine on Halima Abubakar, the court further barred her from any further publication on the senior pastor.

Her colleague, Doris Ogala has reacted to the court’s order, calling it unfair.

“Why is Halima paying 10 million for her truth. This is not right. I’ll call Halima Abubakar. We will contest that judgment”, Doris wrote.

By Ezinne Okorie.