Tonto Dikeh Hit With N200 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Deliverance on Schoolgirl in Abuja

A fresh legal dispute has emerged around Nollywood actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh after a human rights lawyer filed a N200 million suit at the High Court in Abuja over an alleged spiritual deliverance performed on a secondary school student.

PulseNets learnt that the case was instituted by lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi on behalf of a teenage girl identified as a Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) student and her guardians. The lawsuit, obtained by PulseNets and marked HC/ABJ/123/2026, accuses the actress of conducting an unauthorised religious deliverance on the student during a school visit in Abuja and later publishing footage of the incident online without the consent of the child or her family.

According to court documents obtained by PulseNets, the plaintiff argued that the action amounted to a harmful religious ritual carried out within a public educational environment and constituted a violation of the girl’s fundamental rights.

Key Allegations in the Suit

Documents reviewed by PulseNets indicated that the incident allegedly occurred during Tonto Dikeh’s visit to a secondary school located in Durumi II, Abuja.

The suit claims the actress subjected the student to what was described as spiritual deliverance prayers resembling an exorcism and allegedly engaged in physical handling of the child while other students and school staff were present.

PulseNets reported that a video recording of the moment later surfaced on the actress’s verified social media accounts on Instagram and X, where it quickly spread across the internet and triggered widespread reactions.

The plaintiff further argued that publishing the footage without approval from the minor or her guardians violated several legal protections, including:

• Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing the right to privacy and family life

• Provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 protecting the dignity and privacy of minors

• Legal safeguards against the unauthorised publication of images involving children

N200 Million Damages and Legal Demands

PulseNets learnt that the claimant is asking the court to award N200 million in general and exemplary damages, citing emotional distress, psychological harm, stigma, and alleged violation of the girl’s rights.

The suit is also seeking a mandatory injunction compelling the actress to remove the video from all digital platforms, including her social media accounts and any reposted versions circulating online.

In addition, the plaintiff is demanding that a public apology be issued and published in at least three national newspapers as well as on the actress’s verified social media platforms.

Court filings reviewed by PulseNets further request a declaration affirming that the deliverance act and the public sharing of the footage breached the minor’s constitutional rights to dignity, personal privacy, and protection from degrading treatment.

Speaking on the matter, the lawyer described the situation as “a clear case of celebrity overreach and disregard for the vulnerability of a child.”

He maintained that religious deliverance activities should never take place on school premises without parental approval and formal authorisation from relevant authorities.

PulseNets reported that the controversy began after Tonto Dikeh shared a video from a school outreach programme a few days ago, describing the moment as a spiritual intervention aimed at helping a young girl.

The actress, known for her philanthropic initiatives through the Tonto Dikeh Foundation, framed the act as an expression of compassion and faith.

As of March 13, 2026, PulseNets learnt that neither the actress nor her legal representatives had issued an official response to the lawsuit.

However, reactions across social media platforms have remained sharply divided. While some supporters insist the act was intended to help the child, critics argue that the video publication may have exposed the minor to public scrutiny and potentially breached child protection laws.

National Debate Over Celebrity Influence and Child Rights

The incident has since ignited a heated debate online, with hashtags such as #JusticeForTheGirl and #TontoDikeh gaining traction across digital platforms.

Also Read: Why I defected to APC — Tonto Dikeh

Legal analysts who spoke to PulseNets noted that the case raises broader questions surrounding celebrity involvement in religious activities within schools, consent requirements when minors are involved in spiritual practices, and the limits of public philanthropy.

PulseNets learnt that the matter is expected to come up for mention before the High Court in the coming weeks, where the court will likely examine the balance between freedom of religion, public influence, and the protection of children’s rights.