A United States court based in County Circuit Court, Baltimore has ruled against Mrs. Funke Ashekun, a US-based Nigerian social media influencer regarding her allegations against the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).
Said to be a former member of the Church, the court awarded $50,000 in damages against Ashekun for defamation against the church and its General Overseer, Dr. D. K. Olukoya.
The lawsuit, filed by MFM through one of its pastors, Adekunle Adekola, accused Ashekun of defamatory actions, primarily through her social media platforms.
Based in Maryland, USA, Ashekun used Facebook and YouTube to air allegations against the church and its leadership, including accusations of sexual misconduct.
The legal proceedings, which commenced on January 22, 2024, saw Ashekun facing allegations of spreading misinformation, lies, and accusations against the church and its leadership.
The court documents reveal that her social media activity, particularly through her YouTube channel and Facebook page titled “Moment of Truth,” consistently defamed the church and its pastors.
During the deposition hearing, MFM claimed that Ashekun’s book titled ‘The Mafia Church Leader’ targeted Dr. Olukoya. The court ultimately found her postings to be defamatory, casting the MFM and its pastors in a false light.
In response to the ruling, a notice of recorded judgment dated January 25, 2024, confirmed the $50,000 judgment in favor of MFM USA and its pastors Grace Ugeh, Kunle Ladipo, and Adekunle Adekola. The document outlines the legal consequences for Ashekun, including the possibility of further legal action if she fails to comply with the judgment.
In a video posted on her YouTube channel, the former member of MFM expressed shock and disbelief at the lawsuit initiated by the Church. She maintained that her intention was not to defame the church or its leadership but to speak out against societal injustices. Ashekun emphasized that her use of the term “Pharaoh” was satirical and not intended as a direct reference to any individual.