Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has addressed Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar’s recent public apology for her defamatory remarks, emphasizing that while he is open to forgiveness, it does not equate to forgetting past actions.
In a succinct statement shared on X.com, Suleman stated, “You all stop calling my phone. Forgiveness is not memory loss! Status quo maintained!” His response follows Abubakar’s admission that her previous statements about him were “false and hurtful.”
In her Instagram post, Abubakar expressed regret for the pain her allegations caused Suleman and his family, attributing her past behavior to poor judgment. She stated that her apology was prompted by “deep reflection and conscience,” and she pleaded for forgiveness for the distress her remarks had caused.
The controversy began in 2022 when Abubakar publicly claimed to have had a romantic relationship with Suleman, which led to threats of legal action from the cleric over what he termed “defamatory statements.”
The situation escalated in 2023 when she alleged that she had been pregnant three times with Suleman’s child.
In April, a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered Abubakar to pay N10 million in damages for her derogatory comments. The court also issued a restraining order, preventing her from making further defamatory statements against Suleman.
Additionally, the judge mandated that Abubakar publish a retraction of her statements on her Instagram account.
As the situation unfolds, Suleman’s firm stance reflects the ongoing tension surrounding the public figures, highlighting the complexities of forgiveness and accountability in the realm of social media and public discourse.