U.S. Court Slaps Nigerian Blogger with $50,000 Fine for Defamation Against MFM Pastor Olukoya
In a recent ruling, a Baltimore County Circuit Court in the United States has ordered a US-based Nigerian blogger, Funke Ashekun, to pay a hefty fine of $50,000 in damages for spreading false information against the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya.
The court presided over by Theresa Adams, found Ashekun guilty of defamation, stating that her online posts had portrayed MFM Pastor Olukoya and some of the MFM pastors in a false light. The judgement came as a victory for MFM USA and its three pastors, Grace Ugeh, Kunle Ladipo, and Adekunle Adekola.
Collins Edomaruse, the media aide to Dr. Olukoya, confirmed the court’s decision in a statement released on Thursday, January 25. Edomaruse expressed satisfaction, saying, “The Church was gratified that the jury found in favour and vindicated our position.”
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Ashekun, responding to the lawsuit, expressed disbelief, stating, “I don’t know them, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Imagine, people that I don’t know are suing me. What an Irony!”
This case follows a similar incident involving a UK-based blogger, Maureen Badejo, who was warned by the Queens Bench Division of a UK high court of justice to obey an existing judgement or face imprisonment for defaming Dr Daniel Olukoya and his wife, Shade. Maureen had until November 4, 2023, to comply with the court’s decision.
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In a related report, MFM Pastor Olukoya criticized prophets for failed prophecies during the 2023 general election, labelling it as madness for anyone to claim divine insight when God has not spoken. The clergyman emphasized that the pulpit is not a platform for political campaigns, delivering this message at the church’s headquarters on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
