Defamation: Halima Abubakar apologises to Apostle Suleman

Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has finally apologized to the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, for defaming him.

Abubakar had alleged on social media in 2022 that she had a romantic relationship with Suleman, prompting threats of legal action from the cleric over “defamatory statements.”

The controversy intensified in 2023 when the actress claimed she had been pregnant three times with Suleman’s child.

But in a statement shared on her Instagram account on Wednesday, Halima admitted that her past statements were “false and hurtful.”

The actress expressed her regrets for the pains she inflicted on Apostle Suleman with the allegations.

She pleaded for forgiveness from Apostle Suleman and his family.

She attributed her actions to poor judgement at the time, noting that the apology was motivated by “deep reflections and conscience.”

“I am writing to you today to acknowledge the falsehoods I made against you on social media and to offer my sincere apology,” the letter reads.

“After deep reflections and in order for my conscience to be in accord with God, I have realised the depth of the harm, pains, and distress caused by my lies.

“I admit that I made false allegations against you and also regret my actions and the damage I caused to you, your wife, Dr Mrs Lizzy Suleiman, your family, and the leaders of Omega Fire Ministries. With this letter, I humbly ask for your forgiveness, recognising that my apology cannot undo the harm, pain, and distress I caused.

“I ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive me, as I was not thinking clearly at that time. Sir, you have done a lot for humanity; please extend your hands of forgiveness to me,” she said.

It would be recalled that after the defamatory remarks against him, the defamed Pastor Suleman approached court for damages and an order compelling Abubakar to issue a public apology to him.

However, in April, a Federal high court in Abuja ruled in favour of Apostle Suleman, ordering Halima to pay N10 million in damages for defamation.

The court also restrained her from publishing defamatory statements against the cleric.