Ex-Hubby, Churchill, Tonto Dikeh Fight Dirty In Court

AISHA ABUBAKAR

The fight between Nollywood actress, Tonto Dike and her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, has become messy despite the fact that the relationship had produced a child.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the war, which was fought in the media, has now moved to the Court following the recent action by Churchill.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division, has invited popular Nollywood celebrity, Tonto Dikeh, to appear in Court over a suit filed by her former husband, Dr. Olakunle Oladunni Churchill and his organization, Big Church Foundation, a subsidiary of Big Church Groups.

The case against Tonto in the High Court with Suit No CU/5801/19, issued 14 days notification with strict implications on her failure to appear before the Court, as the Court may proceed therein with judgement even in the absence of the Defendant (Tonto Dikeh).

According to the case filed by the 1st and 2nd Claimant (Dr. Churchill and Big Church Foundation respectively), former husband of the defendant, it maintained claims that the series of malicious and fallacious allegations, assertions and accusations through media campaigns and publications by Tonto Dikeh and her charity organization were defamatory, baseless and sponsored to tarnish and damage the image and political ambition of the claimant, as he might have told her his intentions to run for Federal House of Representatives in his constituency.

The suit identified several declarations with substantial proofs ascertaining illegalities in the action and approaches adopted by the claimant’s ex-wife. The claims includes the declaration that the defendant’s interview on series of false allegations on domestic violence, infidelity, false allegations of fraud, sexual disease, money ritual, homosexuality/bisexuality, and mockery of the 7,000 persons empowerment project by Big Church Foundation, describing the humanitarian intervention as fake.

According to the suit, Tonto Dikeh’s interviews were aired, published and sponsored via broadcast channels, online media platforms, YouTube handles, notable print publications and even on her large 4million followers page on Instagram, with a view to impugn the character, standings in life and goodwill of her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill. The claim also requires the sum of 500million Naira as general damages from Tonto Dikeh (the defendant), for the libelous, slanderous and false allegations published against the claimants.

In one of her defamatory assertions Tonto noted the father of her ex-husband was a gardener, but sources have revealed that her claim was just mere fabrication as the father of her ex-husband was instead a high leveled personality, recognized and engaged with several international leaders, with gainful impacts in areas of humanitarian impacts and diplomatic connections.

The defendant’s action in appearance would be to propose and provide reliable evidence to sustain the accusations, insults, defamation, slander and allegations supported, published and promoted on several mass media networks and platforms, including television, YouTube channels, social media handles and the online media channels.

Tonto Dikeh has also been compelled by the suit filed against her to publish or cause to be published an apology to her ex-husband, and a retraction of the publications on her Instagram pages, YouTube Channel, 3 major Nigerian newspapers and their online sites, as well as a file affidavit of compliance of same within 14 days of the delivery of judgement. Also an order of perpetual injunction may also be issued restraining the defendant, privies, agents etc from publishing or cause to be published any further defamatory words against the claimant. She would also have to refrain from any form of blackmail or extortion of her ex-husband in the name of upkeep and education for their son. However, she has continued to refuse the father access to the child, even when the Court had earlier granted him access to his son.

The claim also demanded a sum of 10million Naira as cost of the action of defendant.