Nigeria’s long-running collision between religion, activism, media influence, and the law has entered yet another explosive chapter. Apostle Johnson Suleman, the outspoken General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International (OFM), has filed a fresh lawsuit against activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, reigniting a controversy that blends allegations of staged miracles, media amplification, and deep-seated ideological hostility.
This latest legal action, according to public statements made by Sowore himself, marks the second time Apostle Suleman has dragged him to court over disputes linked to the cleric’s ministry and personal reputation. The development has once again polarized public opinion, reopening unresolved questions about accountability in religious spaces, the ethics of activism-driven journalism, and the limits of free speech in Nigeria’s volatile public sphere.
The Allegations That Sparked the Storm
At the center of the controversy is an interview conducted on a podcast hosted by KAA Truths, where a guest made sensational claims about a former pastor allegedly involved in staging fake miracles. The guest alleged that certain “actors” were injected with substances that induced temporary death-like states before being “resurrected” during church services—a claim many medical experts and commentators have since described as scientifically implausible and dangerously misleading.
Although the guest did not present any verifiable evidence, Apostle Suleman’s name was reportedly mentioned in the broader narrative. Omoyele Sowore subsequently republished and amplified the claims across his platforms, triggering massive online traction and reigniting long-standing criticisms of Nigeria’s miracle-driven Pentecostal culture.
Suleman, however, insists that Sowore’s actions were reckless, defamatory, and deliberately malicious.
Apostle Suleman Fires Back
In a strongly worded response that has since gone viral, Apostle Suleman accused Sowore of weaponizing unverified allegations to chase relevance and traffic. He argued that the activist rushed to publicize the claims without investigation, corroboration, or basic verification, simply because his name attracts attention.
Crucially, Suleman revealed that the individual allegedly referenced in the podcast later came out publicly to state that he had never met Apostle Suleman at any time and that the claims circulating online were false. Despite this denial, Suleman claims Sowore refused to retract or correct the publication, even after formal requests were made.
According to the cleric, that refusal left him with no option but to seek legal redress.
> “He who alleges must prove,” Suleman declared, confirming that the matter is now before “a court of competent jurisdiction.”
A History That Refuses to Die: The Stephanie Otobo Case
This is not the first time Apostle Suleman and Sowore have clashed legally. Their bitter history dates back to the Stephanie Otobo scandal, a case involving a Canada-based Nigerian woman whose allegations against Suleman once dominated headlines.
That case, which has dragged on for nearly eight years, was later amended by Suleman, with Otobo’s name reportedly removed entirely from the suit. Despite the amendment, the prolonged legal battle has remained a reference point for critics who argue that unresolved controversies continue to trail the popular preacher.
Sowore has repeatedly cited the Otobo case as evidence of what he describes as a pattern of alleged misconduct, while Suleman maintains that the matter has been deliberately misrepresented and politically weaponized.
Activism, Christianity, and Ideological Warfare
Beyond the courtroom drama lies a deeper ideological conflict. Apostle Suleman did not mince words in his personal attack on Sowore, accusing him of harboring anti-Christian and anti-church sentiments. He dismissed Sowore’s activism as fraudulent, opportunistic, and commercially motivated.
In perhaps his most scathing remark, Suleman claimed that Nigerians—particularly young people—have repeatedly rejected Sowore at the polls, arguing that this electoral history exposes what he called the “fraud” behind his activism.
Sowore, on the other hand, has consistently positioned himself as a crusader against corruption, religious exploitation, and elite hypocrisy. To his supporters, the lawsuit represents an attempt by a powerful religious figure to silence dissent. To his critics, it is another example of provocative activism crossing into defamatory territory.
The Legal Battlefield Ahead
Legal analysts suggest that this case could become a landmark moment, especially around the burden of proof in defamation suits involving social media amplification. As Sowore himself noted, the alleged fake miracles may be the easiest claim to test in court, since they rest on scientific and evidentiary standards rather than moral judgments.
If the court rules in favor of Apostle Suleman, it could signal a tougher legal environment for activists and bloggers who republish unverified claims. If Sowore prevails, it may embolden more aggressive scrutiny of powerful religious institutions.
Why This Case Matters
This lawsuit is bigger than two controversial public figures trading insults online. It touches on freedom of expression, responsible journalism, religious accountability, and the growing power of digital platforms to shape narratives without verification.
In a country where faith, politics, and activism are deeply intertwined, the outcome could redefine how allegations are handled in the public domain—and where the line is drawn between activism and defamation.
As Nigerians watch the drama unfold, one thing is certain: this legal showdown will not only test reputations but may also set a precedent for how truth, belief, and power collide in modern Nigeria.
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