US Court Upholds $300,000 Defamation Award Against Blogger Funke Ashekun

The US Court of Appeals in Maryland has rejected blogger Funke Ashekun’s appeal in the defamation suit brought by Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries USA. A lower court had ordered Ashekun to pay $300,000 in punitive damages and $50,000 in compensatory damages for injuring the reputation of Dr. D.K. Olukoya and the church. Her appeal was dismissed on May 7, 2026, confirming the earlier binding order. Court documents show that Ashekun and her husband collapsed in the courtroom when the fines were announced. The appellate decision noted that the original judgment was properly grounded and without merit to overturn. The ministry welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirms the protection of reputation under Maryland law.

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