Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has been fined N10 million for making libellous allegations about Omega Fire Ministries International’s Senior Pastor and General Overseer, Apostle Johnson Suleman.
The actress from Deadly Plot was ordered by a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday to give the clergyman the money as compensation.
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, according to a certified authentic copy of the ruling.
In his judgement, Justice Enobie Obanor noted that Abubakar was allowed to defend herself in the matter but failed to do so.
The judgement 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.”
The court also barred Abubakar from any further publication on Apostle Suleman.
Recall that Shan George and Halima Abubakar, have clashed over alleged sex scandal involving them and Apostle Johnson Suleman, the general overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International.
A report alleged that the Edo State based cleric allegedly had an affair with some Nollywood stars including George.
But in an Instagram post on Monday, the actress denied the claim, adding that she had never met the cleric.
George, however, said she respects Suleman because he “speaks for the downtrodden”.
“One of the kindest and straightforward persons I know is Apostle Johnson Suleiman. Just like in his numerous sermons, he says it blunt as it is, and that’s something I respect in people,” she wrote.
“Not everything is about intimacy. As for Gistlover, he’s one person I’ve never met but have a lot of respect for as well. Because he speaks for d downtrodden and don’t care if bullet hits him.
“Me I no fit deny my people wey I respect. But I never at anytime dated the Apostle. I be water, I no get enemy.”
Reacting in the comment section of the post, Halima, who has also been accused of having an affair with the cleric in the past, called Shan a “bloody gossip”.
“Lol Shan Shan, you forget Wetin you tell me right? Omg. No look for my trouble Shan George. I hail you,” she wrote.
“Bloody gossip. I drove with you for 12 hours. what was ur topic? A word I didn’t utter. you fall my hand.”
Seemingly shocked at her response, George wondered what informed Halima’s reaction, adding that her initial post was not directed at her.
