Danjuma Threatens Preacher With N1bn Lawsuit For Alleged Defamation

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.), has slammed a N1 billion lawsuit on a renowned preacher, Pastor Paul Rika of the Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide for defaming his character in a book.

Danjuma, through his Counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the preacher to withdraw the defamatory statements contained in his book, “God’s Message To Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes Of Taraba State.”

In a letter setting out claims and option for settlement in respect of the alleged libelous statements contained in the book, dated September 27, a copy which made available to newsmen in Jos, the retired army General said his attention was drawn to the book by some of his mentees, who had purchased the book and read it.

Danjuma particularly complained about some pages between 9 and 94, which he claimed to have impugned his character and ridiculed him among his friends and also jeopardised his business nationally and internationally.

Oyetibo, writing on behalf of Gen. Danjuma wrote, “Our client is an elder statesman who has served Nigeria in various capacities during his years of active service, including Chief of Army Staff from 1975 to 1979 and Minister of Defence from 1999- 2003, amongst other notable positions held by him.

“His contributions to societal, community, and national development have spanned over four decades and he continues to serve through various platforms including the TY Danjuma Foundation which caters to the needs of the downtrodden, the disadvantaged, and the less privileged.”

He pointed out that Gen. Danjuma’s commitment to societal development has spurred him to invest heavily in various humanitarian development projects and has demonstrated a robust track record of investment in human capacity development.

Danjuma described the contents of the book as concerning him as reckless, ill-advised, and highly defamatory as they lack any iota of truth, and are calculated not only to bring him into public odium, hatred, and contempt but also to incite public ill-will and opprobrium against him, without any respect for his hard-earned reputation in Taraba State and Nigeria at large.

“The defamatory statements which you published of, and concerning our client have caused him great discomfort, embarrassment, and annoyance, and lowered him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public who have read the book,” Oyetibo wrote.