March 13, (THEWILL) — Nollywood actress and self-acclaimed evangelist, Tonto Dikeh, has been sued for ₦200 million over an alleged religious exorcism performed on a female schoolchild, according to court filings.
Human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on behalf of a JSS 1 student from Junior Secondary School, Durumi II, Abuja, who hails from Rivers State.
The suit is based on a video and photos allegedly posted on Dikeh’s Facebook page, which Obasi described as showing a “vicious religious exorcism” on the child.
In the footage, the schoolgirl was pinned down on a stony surface as Dikeh prayed over her to cast out what she described as a “spirit of death”. Dikeh reportedly said the girl had approached her, distressed after seeing “bats appearing around her”.
The affidavit reads: “On 6th March, 2026, I stumbled upon a viral footage and photos on the official Facebook page of the Respondent, Tonto Dikeh, a Nollywood actress showing the Respondent carrying out a vicious religious exorcism on a female school child wherein the child was laid on bare ground while being pressed against the stony surface despite the Respondent wearing artificial fingernails; harassing, and publicly shaming the child.”
Obasi said the act violated the child’s rights to dignity and privacy, exposing her to public shame and potential psychological trauma.
“The actions of the Respondent did not just constitute degrading treatment of the school child but exposed her to contempt, public shame, and likely unspoken child trauma”, the affidavit added.
He also said portraying the child as demonically possessed could subject her to ridicule and discrimination among peers.
The lawsuit seeks removal of the video and photos, a public apology, a perpetual injunction against similar acts, and ₦200 million in damages. Obasi claimed that posting the footage on social media violated the child’s rights under the Constitution and the Child Rights Act 2003.
Tonto Dikeh has not issued a formal response to the lawsuit. The case has been filed, and a hearing date is pending.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
