Bloody Civilian bags N200bn lawsuit over alleged defamation of Helen Ukpabio
Nigerian singer and activist, Bloody Civilian has been hit with a N200 billion lawsuit by controversial preacher Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio and her daughter, Imaobong Elijah Ukpabio.
The lawsuit, filed over alleged libellous comments on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), demands a public apology and compensation for the alleged defamation.
The legal action stems from Bloody Civilian’s remarks on November 22, 2024, in response to a tweet celebrating Ukpabio’s 60th birthday.
The tweet, posted by user @onejoblessboy, featured Ukpabio’s photograph with the caption: “Pastor Helen Ukpabio turns 60 today.”
Bloody Civilian’s replies accused Ukpabio of promoting harmful practices, referencing accusations from her past and an alleged travel ban by the UK.
The Alleged Defamatory Statements
According to the lawsuit, Bloody Civilian made several tweets accusing Helen Ukpabio of involvement in actions that caused harm to children. Among the comments cited were:
- “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 tweets also referenced a YouTube documentary and claimed Ukpabio faced international scrutiny for her activities.
Legal Demands
In the lawsuit, Ukpabio’s lawyers described the posts as “reckless, satanic, and libelous.” They claim the comments were intended to tarnish her reputation and have caused significant distress. The demands include:
- A public apology to Helen Ukpabio and Imaobong Elijah Ukpabio.
- A financial compensation of N200 billion for reputational damages.
Context and Controversy
Helen Ukpabio, founder of Liberty Gospel Church, has long been a controversial figure due to her teachings on witchcraft and the alleged promotion of harmful practices. Critics accuse her of stigmatizing children and influencing dangerous beliefs. In contrast, her supporters see her as a spiritual leader defending Christian values.
Bloody Civilian Replies to the Lawsuits
Responding to the 200 billion naira lawsuit, the singer expressed shock while making humorous comments about it. In one tweet, she intended to double her hustle to meet the compensation amount.
“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 dispute (no Benin people),” she stated in the tweet.
