Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Prominent activist, journalist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has escalated a long-running public dispute with religious leader Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries, with fresh accusations alleging intimidation, the peddling of “fake miracles” and an abuse of influence, even as he prepares to confront a new lawsuit filed against him by the cleric.
The latest confrontation stems from media and social-media commentary on an explosive interview in which Sowore amplified claims — first circulated by another pastor — suggesting that staged or deceptive miracle events had occurred involving individuals linked, however tenuously, to Apostle Suleman’s ministry. Those remarks, recently aired on the KAA Truth platform, ignited furious reactions from the cleric and his supporters, ultimately prompting Suleman to initiate litigation against Sowore and SaharaReporters, the online news outlet he founded.
In the fresh lawsuit, filed on December 13, 2025, Apostle Suleman is reportedly seeking ₦1 billion in damages, alleging that Sowore’s comments were defamatory, harmful to his reputation and rooted in unfounded insinuations that he backed or facilitated “miracle-faking.” According to legal filings obtained by news outlets, the suit references remarks made during the interview that touched on alleged staged resurrection claims — highly contentious allegations that have already triggered legal threats from Suleman’s attorneys, including ultimatums demanding retractions, apologies and reparations from media platforms that reproduced the claims.
Sowore, a long-time figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy and activism circles, has responded defiantly. Far from retreating, he has characterised Suleman’s legal action as part of a broader pattern of powerful figures seeking to suppress dissenting voices. In statements issued by his legal advisers, Sowore framed the lawsuit as emblematic of a broader clash over accountability in public discourse, particularly where religious leaders and other influential personalities intersect with media scrutiny.
Although Sowore’s own public comments on the specific recent lawsuit have focused on defending freedom of expression and journalistic scrutiny, his broader rhetoric has accused Suleman of leveraging his influence to intimidate critics rather than engage in transparent dialogue. Sowore’s supporters argue that the pastor’s legal campaign reflects an attempt to use financial and institutional clout to silence legitimate questions about controversial religious practices — including miracle claims that some critics dismiss as exploitative or performative.
Apostle Suleman’s stance, however, underscores a distinct legal and moral narrative. In a separate December 13 statement, he criticised Sowore’s past “unverified attacks,” accusing the activist of a pattern of reckless allegations and “anti–church and anti-pastor” bias. Suleman’s denouncement reiterated long-standing grievances over media coverage that he says has repeatedly linked him to scandals and controversies without sufficient evidence, emphasising that he would now respond forcefully through the courts after years of restraint.
The clash pits two influential figures against each other in a broader battle over narrative control, reputational risk and the boundaries of media freedom in Nigeria. Sowore, once a presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has become accustomed to legal challenges. In recent months, he has faced separate criminal charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) under Nigeria’s cybercrime and criminal law provisions over allegedly derogatory social-media posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, although he was granted bail in early December and is awaiting further court proceedings scheduled for January 2026.
Critics of Suleman’s lawsuit argue that resort to litigation over controversial media commentary could have chilling effects on journalistic enquiry and the willingness of activists to call attention to societal issues involving religious institutions. Civil society advocates have long raised concerns about the use of defamation suits and strong libel laws in Nigeria to stifle press freedom, calling for clear standards that balance protection of reputation with fundamental rights of expression. Meanwhile, defenders of the pastor assert that individuals and institutions must retain the right to defend their reputations when they feel misrepresented, especially in matters involving highly sensitive religious practices and public trust.
The legal battle now unfolding is expected to draw wider attention as both sides prepare to present their cases. Observers note that a decision in the lawsuit could have ramifications beyond the immediate dispute, touching on broader debates over media ethics, religious authority and the protections afforded to critics, activists and public commentators in Nigeria’s evolving democratic space.
As the parties ready for court, supporters on both sides have mobilised on social media, framing the conflict in starkly different terms — from free speech and anti-establishment resistance to the sanctity of religious reputation and accountability for alleged misinformation.
Whether the court will rule in favour of compensation for alleged defamation or uphold principles of robust public discourse remains to be seen. Regardless, the confrontation underscores deep tensions in Nigeria’s public sphere where media, religion and activism intersect — often with high stakes for all involved.
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