The High Court of Cross River State sitting in Calabar on Wednesday received detailed testimony concerning alleged witchcraft-related abuses in the N200 billion libel suit filed by Helen Ukpabio and her daughter against Nigerian singer, Bloody Civilian.
The case, presided over by Justice Ukpai Ibitham, was adjourned to July 6 and 7 for continuation of hearing following submissions by lawyers representing both parties.
A human rights activist and scholar of religious studies, Dr. Leo Igwe, appeared as a witness for the defence and alleged that Ukpabio’s teachings, movies and church activities contributed to witchcraft accusations and abuses against vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
Igwe informed the court that he had dedicated close to 30 years to researching and campaigning against witchcraft accusations across Africa. He argued that certain evangelical teachings encourage fear, suspicion and violence against individuals accused of witchcraft.
The witness specifically referenced Ukpabio’s film End of the Wicked alongside several church programmes focused on deliverance from witchcraft, maintaining that such messages reinforced harmful stereotypes associated with Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
He also recounted an incident in 2009 when he organised a public sensitisation programme in Calabar against witchcraft accusations, alleging that members of Liberty Gospel Church disrupted the event and physically attacked him.
According to Igwe, public criticism of religious teachings allegedly linked to witch-hunting practices should be viewed as social advocacy against harmful beliefs and abuses rather than defamation.
At the end of the testimony, counsel to the defendant, James Ibor, urged the court to dismiss the suit.
However, counsel to the claimants, Victor Ukutt, opposed the request, insisting that there was no plea before the court challenging the witness’s testimony.
Ukpabio and her daughter filed the suit against Bloody Civilian, whose real name is Emoseh Khamofu, over comments posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in November 2024.
The claimants alleged that the singer falsely accused Ukpabio of encouraging violence against children branded as witches, describing the allegations as malicious and defamatory.
Among the reliefs being sought are public retractions and apologies in national newspapers, deletion of the disputed posts from social media platforms, and N200 billion in damages over the alleged harm caused to their reputation and public image.
Justice Ibitham subsequently adjourned the matter to July 6 and 7 for continuation of hearing.
