Photo collage of Actress Halima Abubakar and Apostle Johnson Suleman
By Victory Oghene
Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar has publicly apologized to
the senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, ApostleJohnsonSuleman, for spreading fake news and defaming him on her Instagram page.
In April 2024, the federal high court ordered the actress to pay a ₦10 million fine to the cleric as damages for publishing defamatory statements against him on social media.
The actress took to her Instagram page on October 23, 2024, to admit to spreading false news against Suleman causing his ministry and family damage on social media.
Abubakar expressed her regrets, seeking forgiveness and recognizing her apology could not undo the harm she had caused the cleric.
Halima Abubakar’s apology letter to Apostle Suleman
The letter reads, “I admit that I made false allegations against you and also regret my action and the damage I caused to you, your wife, Dr Lizzy Suleman, your family and the leaders of the Omega Fire Ministry.
With this letter, I humbly ask for forgiveness, recognising that my apology cannot undo the harm, pain and distress I caused and I ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive me as I was not thinking right then.
I’m truly sorry for all the hurts and distress I caused you, your family and ministry”
She further expressed regret for her actions and the negative impact they had on Mr Suleman and his family:
The actress requested forgiveness, acknowledging that while her apology could not undo the pain and distress she had caused, she hoped for reconciliation.
“With this letter, I humbly ask for your forgiveness, recognising that my apology cannot undo the harm, pain and distress I caused, and I ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive me as I was not thinking right then.
“Sir, you have done a lot for humanity; please extend your hands of forgiveness towards me,” she added.
It would be recalled that the rift between Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleman first became public in 2022, when the 39-year-old actress accused the pastor of having an affair with her.
The apology, shared on her verified Instagram page on Wednesday, follows years of back-and-forth allegations, media drama, and legal battles between the two public figures.
The Kano-born actress claimed that their relationship led to severe health complications. She accused Mr Suleman of contributing to her deteriorating medical condition. The actress alleged that the cleric continued engaging in intercourse with her despite her suffering from unusual bleeding. She also claimed she experienced multiple miscarriages during their time together.
In response, the 53-year-old televangelist denied the allegations, describing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation. Through his legal team, he said Halima Abubakar’s claims were defamatory and aimed at extorting him. His lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, said that Mr Suleman filed a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit against the actress in 2022. Despite these legal actions, Ms Abubakar did not attend court hearings, which led to multiple adjournments.
In the letter dated 5 October 2024, she addressed Mr Suleman directly. She admitted to making “baseless claims” that caused significant harm to the apostle, his wife, their family, and the leadership of Omega Fire Ministries.
Halima Abubakar’s apology reads, “Dear Apostle Johnson Suleman, I am writing to you today to acknowledge the falsehoods I made against you on social media and to offer my sincerest apologies.
“After deep reflections and for my conscience to be in accord with God, I have realised the depth of the harm, pains and distress caused by my lies.”
