Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to SaharaReporters, demanding the retraction of a report published in April 2025, as well as a public apology across several national newspapers. The cleric is also seeking ₦1 billion in damages over what he describes as malicious and defamatory allegations linking him to a staged resurrection miracle.

Allegations of a Staged Resurrection Miracle

The controversy stems from an interview given by Apostle Wisdom, a former associate of various Nigerian clergymen, who claimed that Apostle O.C. Benjamin of Fulfillers House Church staged a fake resurrection miracle using an injection allegedly supplied by Apostle Suleman. Wisdom, in his viral interview, alleged that the injection was intended to make a person appear dead temporarily, in order to perform a miracle at a crusade.

In the April 4, 2025 publication by SaharaReporters, titled “Apostle Johnson Suleman Gave Fulfillers House Church’s O.C. Benjamin Injection to Make Someone Appear Dead for Staged Resurrection Miracle – Ex-Associate”, Apostle Wisdom elaborated on what he described as an elaborate hoax.

According to him, the resurrection was performed using a hired young man, rented ambulance, purchased casket, and paid actors posing as grieving family members. Wisdom described how the whole scheme unfolded at a crusade in Abakaliki, including dramatic confrontations with ushers who initially refused to let the casket inside the hall. He mocked the incident, stating that the young man inside the coffin had endured heat and near suffocation before finally “sneezing” at the climax of the staged performance, leading the crowd to erupt in jubilation.

He also quipped:

“The angel in charge of raising the dead was even confused that day because nobody died.”

Legal Action and Denial from Suleman’s Legal Team

In response to the allegations, Apostle Suleman’s lawyers issued a formal letter dated April 8, 2025, addressed to SaharaReporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore. The legal team, led by Clement Onwuemunor & Co., described the report as a libellous assault filled with falsehoods. They accused the media platform of propagating unverified claims from a blackmailer and mischief-maker without confirming the facts with the cleric.

The letter categorically denied any involvement in the staged miracle and refuted the allegations, stating:

“Our client has never met Apostle O.C. Benjamin, nor has he ever given him any injection or substance to stage-manage resurrection miracles.”

Furthermore, the letter referenced a video reportedly circulating online, in which Apostle O.C. Benjamin himself denies the allegations, calling them false and malicious.

48-Hour Ultimatum and Demand for Retracted Publication

Suleman’s legal team also criticized SaharaReporters for publishing the allegations without proper verification, arguing that the media platform acted recklessly and with malice. They issued a 48-hour deadline for the retraction of the publication from all online platforms and demanded a formal apology. The apology is to be published on the same platforms and in full-page ads in prominent Nigerian newspapers, including Punch, Guardian, Vanguard, Tribune, and Sunday Sun.

In addition, Suleman’s legal team demanded ₦1 billion in damages for the harm caused to the televangelist’s reputation, emphasizing that failure to meet these demands would lead to legal action.

The letter, marked Pre-Litigation Notice, was copied to Apostle Suleman himself.

Conclusion

This legal battle highlights the increasing tension surrounding the Nigerian clerical community and media, with both sides claiming to be defending their honor. While Apostle Suleman seeks justice for what he deems a defamatory attack, the controversy continues to fuel public debate on the role of media in reporting on religious figures and their practices.