A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, has threatened to take legal action against Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh over a viral video that allegedly shows her conducting a deliverance session involving a school child.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obasi described the incident as disturbing and accused the actress of subjecting the child to degrading and abusive treatment under the guise of religious deliverance.
According to him, the video circulating online shows the child lying on bare ground while the actress allegedly pressed the child against the hard surface during the ritual.
The lawyer condemned the act as a “primitive, nasty and reckless display,” expressing concern that such treatment could occur in modern-day Nigeria, especially involving a public figure.
“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 degrading treatment under the guise of religious deliverance,” Obasi said.
He also raised health concerns, noting that the exercise allegedly took place outdoors during the harmattan season, which could expose the child to dust and potential respiratory infections.
“The innocent child was laid on bare ground as the exercise continued, stirring dust that could expose the child to illnesses such as catarrh or other airborne infections,” he said.
Obasi argued that the alleged act violates legal protections for children under Nigerian law. He cited Section 11 of the Child Rights Act 2003 and Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantee the dignity of every child and prohibit physical, emotional, or degrading treatment.
According to him, the conduct shown in the video amounts to maltreatment and an attack on the dignity and reputation of the child involved.
While acknowledging that citizens have the right to freedom of religion under Section 38 of the constitution, the lawyer stressed that such rights should not be used to justify actions that could harm minors.
He therefore called on Dikeh to immediately stop what he described as abusive religious practices involving children and issue a public apology.
“I am calling on the actress, Tonto Dikeh, and anyone involved to cease and desist from acts of child exorcism or abusive practices against Nigerian children,” Obasi said.
He demanded that the actress offer an unreserved apology to the child and Nigerian children within 72 hours or face legal action.
The lawyer also urged organisations including UNICEF and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the incident and ensure that children are protected from harmful practices.