A Lagos State High Court has ordered Canadian-based singer Stephanie Otobo to pay ₦100 million in aggravated damages to Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, over defamatory statements made against him.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Olubunmi Abike Fadipe following a protracted legal dispute that began in 2017 after Otobo accused the cleric of engaging in a sexual relationship with her.

Otobo had alleged that Suleman impregnated her, provided substances to terminate the pregnancy, and promised to marry her. Suleman denied the allegations and subsequently initiated legal proceedings against her.

The controversy later took another turn when Otobo publicly retracted her claims, alleging that she had been financially induced by certain politicians and clerics to tarnish Suleman’s image.

In 2022, however, the singer reignited the controversy after posting explicit photographs on social media which she claimed were intended for the cleric.

According to court documents dated May 5, 2026, Suleman sought an injunction compelling Otobo to retract the defamatory statements. He also demanded ₦500 million in damages and requested that she publish a full-page apology in two national newspapers.

Court records showed that Otobo was served court summons in November 2022 but failed to respond or enter an appearance. She was also absent when the matter came up in December 2023 for determination on the commencement of trial proceedings.

When the trial commenced in February 2025, the court held that Suleman had established reputational injury arising from the allegations. Although the cleric sought ₦500 million in damages, the court awarded ₦100 million.

Justice Fadipe further ordered Otobo to publish an unreserved apology on all online platforms used to disseminate the defamatory statements, as well as in full-page advertisements in *Punch* and *Sunday Sun* newspapers for seven consecutive publications beginning within seven days of the judgment.

“I award the sum of ₦100 million aggravated damages to the claimant against the defendant,” the judge ruled.

The court also restrained Otobo, her agents, and associates from making or publishing any further defamatory statements against Suleman.