After a protracted public dispute that spanned over a 12 months, Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar formally apologised to a cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleman, the senior pastor and common overseer of Omega Fireplace Ministries Worldwide.
The apology, shared on her verified Instagram web page on Wednesday, follows years of back-and-forth allegations, media drama, and authorized battles between the 2 public figures.
The rift between Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleman first grew to become public in 2022, when the 39-year-old actress accused the pastor of getting an affair together with her.
Allegations
The Kano-born actress claimed that their relationship led to extreme well being issues. She accused Mr Suleman of contributing to her deteriorating medical situation. The actress alleged that the cleric continued participating in intercourse together with her regardless of her affected by uncommon bleeding. She additionally claimed she skilled a number of miscarriages throughout their time collectively.
In response, the 53-year-old televangelist denied the allegations, describing them as an try and tarnish his fame. Via his authorized workforce, he stated Halima Abubakar’s claims had been defamatory and geared toward extorting him. His lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, stated that Mr Suleman filed a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit towards the actress in 2022. Regardless of these authorized actions, Ms Abubakar didn’t attend court docket hearings, which led to a number of adjournments.
Because the authorized battle continued into 2023, Mr Suleman’s authorized representatives accused the actress of intentionally avoiding the court docket proceedings. By mid-2023, they’d grown assured of a beneficial final result within the lawsuit, with the court docket finally ruling in Mr Suleman’s favour in April 2024. Halima Abubakar was ordered to pay ₦10 million in damages, retract her defamatory statements, and chorus from making additional public accusations.
U-Flip
Making a U-turn on Wednesday with a public apology, the controversial actress stated the allegations she made towards the cleric had been false.
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Within the letter dated 5 October 2024, she addressed Mr Suleman instantly. She admitted to creating “baseless claims” that induced vital hurt to the apostle, his spouse, their household, and the management of Omega Fireplace Ministries.
Halima Abubakar’s apology reads, “Pricey Apostle Johnson Suleman, I’m writing to you immediately to acknowledge the falsehoods I made towards you on social media and to supply my sincerest apologies.
“After deep reflections and for my conscience to be in accord with God, I’ve realised the depth of the hurt, pains and misery attributable to my lies.”
Regrettable actions
She additional expressed remorse for her actions and the adverse influence they’d on Mr Suleman and his household: “I admit that I made false allegations towards you, and I additionally remorse my actions and the injury I induced to you, your spouse, Dr Mrs Lizzy Suleman, your loved ones, and the Leaders of the Omega Fireplace Ministry.”
The actress requested forgiveness, acknowledging that whereas her apology couldn’t undo the ache and misery she had induced, she hoped for reconciliation.
“With this letter, I humbly ask to your forgiveness, recognising that my apology can not undo the hurt, ache and misery I induced, and I ask you to discover a place in your coronary heart to forgive me as I used to be not considering proper then.
“Sir, you might have completed rather a lot for humanity; please lengthen your fingers of forgiveness in the direction of me,” she added.
READ ALSO: Apostle Suleman meets IGP after arrest of suspected assailant
Lengthy highway closure?
Ms Abubakar’s apology marks a major turning level in what has been some of the contentious celeb disputes in Nigeria in recent times.
Her public apology is probably going supposed to carry some decision to the matter, significantly after a court docket ruling that ordered her to “retract her statements.”
Her last phrases within the apology mirrored her need for peace and closure. She stated, “As soon as once more, Sir, I’m actually sorry for all of the harm and misery I induced you, your loved ones, and your ministry. Thanks very a lot and should the heavens calm your coronary heart. God bless you, sir.”
Apostle Suleman reacts
Checks by PREMIUM TIMES present that the Omega Ministries common overseer has reacted to the actress’ apology.
In a short message on his verified Fb web page, the 53-year-old preacher urged individuals who have seen Halima Abubakar’s apology to cease calling him.
He careworn that whereas he has forgiven, it doesn’t imply he has forgotten, and said that the state of affairs will stay unchanged.
He wrote, “You all (followers) cease calling my telephone. Forgiveness will not be reminiscence loss! Established order maintained!…AJS (Apostle Johnson Suleman).”
Halima Abubakar’s public apology has, nonetheless, drawn blended reactions from her followers and the general public, with some commending her for taking accountability, whereas others questioned the sincerity and timing of the apology, contemplating the court docket ruling and public stress.
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