A Lagos State High Court has ordered Canada-based singer, Stephanie Otobo to pay N100 million in damages to Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, over defamatory allegations made against the cleric.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Olubunmi Abike Fadipe.
The dispute between Otobo and Suleman dates back to 2017, when the singer publicly accused the cleric of engaging in a sexual relationship with her.
She alleged that Suleman impregnated her, gave her a substance to terminate the pregnancy, and promised to marry her.
Suleman denied the allegations and subsequently initiated legal proceedings, which led to Otobo’s arrest and arraignment.
Otobo later withdrew the allegations, claiming she had been “heavily paid” by influential politicians and some pastors to blackmail the cleric.
In 2022, the controversy resurfaced after Otobo shared explicit photos on social media, alleging they were intended for Suleman.
According to court documents dated May 5, 2026, Suleman filed an injunction seeking an order compelling Otobo to retract the statements.
He also sought N500 million in damages and requested that Otobo publish a written apology in two national newspapers.
Court records indicated that Otobo was served with court summons in November 2022 but failed to respond. She also did not appear in court in December 2023 when the matter came up for hearing.
When the trial commenced in February 2025, the court held that Suleman was entitled to compensation for reputational damage. However, the court reduced the damages sought from N500 million to N100 million.
The court further directed Otobo to publish a public apology on the online platforms where the defamatory statements were made, as well as in two national newspapers for seven consecutive days.
“I award the sum of N=100 million aggravated damages to the claimant against the defendant,” the judgment stated.
“The claim succeeds, and judgment is entered for the claimant against the defendant as follows:
“The sum of N=100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as aggravated damages against the defendant.
“A full page unreserved apology to be published by the defendant on the online platforms she utilized in publishing the defamatory statements/words and to also be published on a full page in the Punch newspapers and Sunday Sun newspapers for (7) seven consecutive times commencing not later than 7 days after the judgment in this case.”
