Apostle Suleiman in a suit before Justice Enobie Obanor, also asked the court to order Halima to pay N20 million in legal expenses
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has been told to meet Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Founder of Omega Fire Ministries International in court to prove her allegations against him or be prepared to face the consequences of her actions.
The clergyman made this known in a statement by his lawyer, Dr Abdul Mahmud, who claimed his client was “unjustly attacked, maligned and defamed” by the actress, whose intention was to blackmail him for monetary gains.
Mahmoud went on to say he is confident the pastor will prove his case beyond doubt and secure justice in court after the defamation of his character by the female thespian.
ALSO READ: Nedu faces backlash after video with allege lover emerges
He further said Halima Abubakar was warned to desist from making libelous claims against Apostle Suleiman and added that after she failed to take the advice, a N1 billion damages suit was filed against her before the FCT High Court in Abuja.
“Prior to instituting the lawsuit, we served the Letter of Cease and Desist on the said actress on behalf of our client but she persisted in her relentless and scurrilous attacks on our client.
“Following the order of the court, substituted service of the court processes were advertised in a national daily.
“On the return date of 27th March, 2023, the said actress or her counsel did not appear before the court.
“The court, therefore, adjourned the hearing to 6th and 7th June, 2023 for a definite hearing of our client’s suit,” he said.
The lawyer said his client is now ready to proceed with the case and close it within the time frame given by the trial judge.
He also said following the order of the court, the hearing notice of the case for June 7 was equally published in a national newspaper and on the Instagram handle of the actress.
“We are ready to open and close our client’s case during the two days the court has in its judicious powers allocated to our client in its docket.
“We shall press and establish our client’s claims for damages against Halima Abubakar, the queen of social media’s pity party and clown of the circus that she passes off as the court of public opinion, expose her lies against our client;
“We shall show that she is unwilling to subject her pack of lies and unfounded claims to judicial scrutiny, hence her refusal to file her defence against the lawsuit of our client and or to enter appearance before the court,” he added.
Halima Abubakar alleged that Apostle Suleiman had an illicit romantic affair with her, which caused her to become ill. She also claimed she got pregnant for him three times but lost them.
In the suit before Justice Enobie Obanor, the clergy requested that the court should order the defendant to issue an apology for her false claims.
Additionally, he requested that the court orders Halima to pay for the removal of all links and the publication of the defamatory statements on all internet platforms.
Suleman further asked for a permanent injunction prohibiting her from publishing the defamatory comments in the future as well as N1 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for libel.
He equally requested that Halima be ordered to pay N20 million in legal expenses.
