Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar has been ordered by a Federal High Court to pay a fine of N10 million for disseminating defamatory statements about Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International.
The court’s decision, issued on Monday, mandates Abubakar to compensate Apostle Suleman for damages resulting from her actions.
According to the court’s certified true copy of the judgement, Apostle Suleman accused Abubakar of posting derogatory remarks about him on her Instagram account, which were subsequently circulated by various blogs and newspapers.
Justice Enobie Obanor, presiding over the case, highlighted that Abubakar had the opportunity to defend herself but failed to do so.
The judgement emphasizes that the statements shared by Abubakar on her Instagram handle, @halimabubakar, were both false and malicious, damaging the reputation of Apostle Suleman in the eyes of the public.
As a result, the court awarded N10,000,000 to Apostle Suleman as aggravated and exemplary damages for libel.
Additionally, the court issued an injunction prohibiting Abubakar from making any further publications regarding Apostle Suleman.
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.”
As the dust settles on this legal battle, it serves as a cautionary tale for individuals and public figures alike. In an era where reputations can be made or destroyed in the blink of an eye, it is essential to uphold the principles of honesty, integrity, and respect in all forms of communication.
The ruling against Halima Abubakar highlights the serious consequences of defamation and the importance of responsible communication in the digital age. As society grapples with the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of media and technology, the principles of accountability and integrity must remain steadfast pillars of our collective discourse.
