A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, has threatened legal action against Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh over a viral video allegedly showing her conducting a deliverance session on a school child.
In a statement released on Friday, Obasi described the incident as abusive and degrading, warning that the act could amount to a violation of the rights and dignity of the minor involved.
According to the lawyer, the video circulating on social media appeared to show the actress carrying out a deliverance ritual in which the child was laid on bare ground while being pressed against the stony surface during the exercise.
Obasi condemned the scene as a “primitive, nasty and reckless display,” arguing that the conduct resembled child exorcism and had no place in modern-day Nigeria.
“The sight of the display is even vicious to behold in the 21st century,” he said.
He added that it was troubling that a public figure who identifies as a born-again Christian could subject a child to what he described as degrading treatment under the guise of religious deliverance.
“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 and degrading treatment,” Obasi said.
The lawyer also criticised the environment in which the exercise allegedly took place, saying that laying the child on bare ground during the harmattan season could expose the minor to dust and possible respiratory infections.
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“The innocent and harmless child laid on bare ground as the exercise continued, emitting hazardous dust in this harmattan season which may likely infect the child with catarrh or other airborne diseases,” he said.
Citing legal provisions, Obasi argued that the alleged act violated the child’s right to dignity as guaranteed under Section 11 of the Child Rights Act 2003 and Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He explained that the Child Rights Act protects minors from physical, mental or emotional abuse, neglect, torture and degrading treatment, as well as attacks on their honour or reputation.
“Obviously, what was meted out to that innocent child constitutes maltreatment, degrading treatment and an attack on the honour or reputation of the child,” he said.
While acknowledging that Nigerians are entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Section 38 of the Constitution, Obasi said such rights are not absolute and must not be used to justify practices that could harm children.
He called on Dikeh and others involved in the alleged ritual to immediately stop what he described as abusive religious practices involving minors.
Obasi also demanded that the actress issue an unreserved apology to the child and Nigerian children within 72 hours or face legal action.
The lawyer further urged organisations including UNICEF and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the incident and ensure that children are protected from what he described as harmful religious practices.