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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Nollywood actress and politician Tonto Dikeh has been dragged before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over a controversial social media post showing what appeared to be a deliverance session involving a schoolgirl.
The suit, filed on Friday by human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi, seeks ₦200 million in damages for alleged violation of the minor’s fundamental rights.
According to court filings, the legal action was brought under the enforcement of fundamental rights provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, following the circulation of a viral video and photographs posted on Dikeh’s social media platforms. The material reportedly showed the actress performing what was described as a spiritual deliverance or exorcism on a female student.
Obasi argues that “the recording and public dissemination of the incident exposed the child to stigma and humiliation, thereby breaching her right to dignity and privacy as guaranteed by law.”
The suit also references protections contained in Nigeria’s Child Rights Act (Nigeria), which safeguards minors from exploitation, abuse, and public exposure that could undermine their welfare.
In addition to the ₦200 million compensation, the applicant is asking the court to order the immediate removal of the video and images from all social media platforms. The suit also seeks a public apology from the actress and an injunction restraining her from publishing or participating in similar activities involving minors in the future.
The incident has stirred debate across social media, with many Nigerians questioning the boundaries between religious expression and the protection of children’s rights, particularly when public figures share sensitive content online.
Reacting to the lawsuit post made by Inslablog on its X handle, some people expressedconcern and faulted Tonto over her actions.
@JunyNetworkj wrote “lol .. Tonto Dike will never stop being dramatic..
Since when did she become a deliverance minister?
I pray this story is not true sha…200 million in this economy is big money oo,,, I pray she has it to pay”
@TejuDuru commented, “Saw that coming. That was a minor…without the parents consent, and a camera was set up to record her. And the world would see her as demonised. Whereas, Tonto was probably planning to go viral as an evangelist.
“Who sets a camera for what should be a private moment except to influence public opinion in a direction?”
@TWITTERORACLE faulted the actress for recording the deliverance session with the minor.
“I meant it when i said that TONTO should take her evangelism off the camera cos this whole video recording things that shouldn’t necessarily be recorded totally change the complexion of the intention. If it’s really the work of the LORD then it needs to be done as such, off camera but i guess it’s for aggrandizement, personal laurels and acclaims. Celebrity style. Oh well ! What do i know !”
As of the time of filing this report, the court is yet to fix a date for hearing the matter. No official response has been issued by Dikeh regarding the lawsuit.