Nollywood actress and politician Tonto Dikeh is facing the prospect of legal action following a viral video that allegedly shows her conducting a deliverance session on a schoolgirl, an incident that has drawn criticism from a Nigerian human rights lawyer.
In a statement released on Friday, human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi condemned the alleged act, describing it as a violation of the child’s dignity and fundamental rights.
The controversy began after a video circulating on social media appeared to show the actress carrying out what was described as a spiritual deliverance ritual involving the minor.
According to Obasi, the footage shows the schoolgirl laid on bare ground while being pressed against a hard, stony surface during the alleged ritual.
The lawyer criticised the act as a “primitive, nasty and reckless display,” arguing that the treatment of the child in such a manner was degrading and potentially abusive.
Obasi also expressed concern that a public figure who identifies as a born-again Christian could allegedly subject a minor to such conditions under the guise of spiritual deliverance.
He warned that the incident could attract legal consequences, stressing that children’s rights and welfare must be protected regardless of religious or personal beliefs.
“The sight of the display is even vicious to behold in the 21st century,” Obasi said.
“It is disheartening that in this contemporary Nigeria, a Nollywood actress who claims to be a repented Christian could subject an innocent child to such untoward, abusive, degrading treatment.”
“Obviously, what was meted out to that innocent child constituted maltreatment, degrading treatment, and an attack on the honour and reputation of the child,” Obasi said.
