Nigerian singer and activist Bloody Civilian has been hit with a staggering ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit filed by controversial preacher Helen Ukpabio and her daughter Imaobong Elijah Ukpabio.
The legal battle stems from comments made by the artist on X (formerly Twitter), where she accused Ukpabio of promoting harmful practices tied to her teachings on witchcraft and spiritual warfare.
Helen Ukpabio, founder of Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, is a polarizing figure in Nigeria’s evangelical community. Known for her controversial stance on witchcraft, she has faced widespread criticism for allegedly labeling children as witches, a claim her critics argue fosters abuse and stigmatization. Despite this, her supporters view her as a staunch defender of Christian values.
The lawsuit follows Bloody Civilian’s remarks on November 22, 2024, which came in response to a post celebrating Ukpabio’s 60th birthday. The singer accused Ukpabio of promoting dangerous ideologies, referencing allegations of a UK travel ban and alleged abuses tied to her ministry. Bloody Civilian’s comments included:
- “She literally made people burn their children alive.”
- “See she’s gotten banned from the UK for her atrocities but Nigerians love atrocities.”
- “We were kids when this happened so that’s why no one remembers she did so much evil.”
The Ukpabio family described these statements as “reckless and libelous,” asserting that they were false and caused irreparable harm to their reputation. The lawsuit demands a public apology and ₦200 billion in damages for reputational injury.
In response, Bloody Civilian took to social media with a humorous tone, tweeting:
“Guys they just sued me for 200 billion naira. This December I will be adding the following to my services: Weddings (preferably Yoruba), Naming ceremony (no twins), Stand-up comedy, Club hosting, Birthday party (no Gen Z), Settling of family disputes (no Benin people).”
This reaction has sparked widespread support from her followers, who view the lawsuit as an attack on freedom of speech.
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