Nollywood Actress Tonto Dikeh Faces ₦200 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Deliverance Ritual on Schoolgirl

 Nollywood actress and self-proclaimed evangelist Tonto Dikeh has been hit with a fundamental rights enforcement suit seeking ₦200 million in damages following a viral video that shows her conducting what has been described as a religious deliverance session on a young schoolgirl.

Human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi filed the case at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on behalf of the minor, a Junior Secondary School 1 student at Junior Secondary School, Durumi II, Abuja. The girl, originally from Rivers State, was reportedly involved in the incident without clear indication of parental consent or school authorization.

In the circulating footage, Dikeh is seen leading a prayer session in what appears to be a public or school-related setting. The lawyer alleges that the ritual involved laying the child on the bare ground and applying physical pressure, actions he characterizes as a "vicious religious deliverance ritual" that violated the minor's rights to human dignity, privacy, and protection from degrading treatment.

The suit, brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, demands several remedies. These include court declarations that Dikeh's actions breached the child's constitutional rights, an order for the immediate removal of all videos and images related to the incident from social media platforms, a public apology to the girl and her family, and an injunction restraining Dikeh from engaging in similar acts involving minors in the future. The ₦200 million claim is framed as compensation for the alleged emotional distress, humiliation, and rights violations suffered.

The controversy stems from Dikeh's recent public shift toward evangelism, where she has openly shared her faith journey and participated in outreach activities. Supporters view her actions as genuine efforts to help those in spiritual need, while critics argue that performing such sessions especially on children in public spaces raises serious concerns about consent, child protection, and the potential for exploitation or abuse under the guise of religion.

Earlier this month, around March 7, Obasi had publicly threatened legal steps if Dikeh did not issue an apology, describing the viral clip as a "primitive, nasty and reckless display." The escalation to a formal lawsuit came after no apparent resolution.

Reactions online have been sharply divided. Some social media users defend Dikeh, praising her spiritual zeal and questioning why the focus is on her rather than broader issues of child welfare or parental involvement. Others express outrage, calling the episode performative or inappropriate, with comments highlighting the vulnerability of minors and the need for safeguards during religious practices.

Dikeh has not yet issued a detailed public response to the lawsuit, though she has previously addressed similar backlash by emphasizing her commitment to her "assignment" from God. Legal experts note that fundamental rights cases in Nigeria can move relatively quickly when they involve clear allegations of child rights violations, but no hearing date has been scheduled yet.

The case draws attention to ongoing debates in Nigeria about the boundaries between religious freedom, child rights, and public accountability particularly when high-profile figures are involved. Child protection advocates have long called for stricter guidelines on how deliverance or exorcism practices are conducted, especially around vulnerable groups like schoolchildren.

The focus remains on the welfare of the young girl at the center of the dispute and whether the allegations will hold up under judicial review.