Taraba-based pastor and International Director of the Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide, Paul Rika, has reacted to the 1 billion Naira lawsuit initiated by former Defense Minister General Theophilus Danjuma over alleged defamation in his book.
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) earlier reports that the former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) via his legal representative, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) sued Pastor Paul Rika for defamation made in his book, titled “God’s Message To Kuteb Tribe And Indigenes Of Taraba State.”
Danjuma demanded that the cleric retract the defamatory statements within seven days, stating he became aware of the book through several mentees who purchased and read it.
Reacting, Rika in a letter addressed to Danjuma, claims that the statements in his book, “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State,” are divinely inspired, urging the former general to interpret them as messages from God rather than as grounds for legal action.
The clerygman who’s refusing to back down said, “I want you to know the certainty of the message the Lord has sent to you, the Kuteb people and the Indigenes of Taraba State. You know that God is your Creator as much as He is the Creator of other people. He loves you as much as He loves other people and will not want you to oppress them.
“God has no respect for persons; He is the Lord of all. He has the liberty to speak to anybody at any time and in the manner He wants. He is the one who will bring everyone to judgment. Should He speak to you in your lifetime on earth or after your lifetime, when there would be no chance anymore to show you mercy? Judge it yourself.
“As the Lord sent a message to King Ahab concerning the wickedness he did to Naboth and his family, so the Lord has sent you the message contained in the book on the evil you have done to the Kuteb tribe from your youth to this day, which you are planning to continue, even after your lifetime on earth, as revealed by God in the book.”
He likened his book to the letter sent to Theophilus in the Book of Luke, saying, “I have no doubt that this is true of you because the revelation came from God. Your argument against this truth has no meaning, because of your practical … deeds against the Kuteb tribe and against Taraba State at large, which are still ongoing.
“The revelation message in the book is true and many people bear witness to it, both in Taraba State and in the world around it.”
The cleric admonished the retired general, “Please Sir, acknowledge your iniquity, both as God revealed it in that book and as men testify practically in your hearing. I want you to know your need for genuine repentance through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, your Creator, Saviour and the great Judge over your life both now in your lifetime and after your death.
“This involves genuine confession of your sins to Him and confession, apologies, and restitution to the Kuteb tribe … Be informed that the Kuteb nation is crying to God against you for vengeance against you …
“You will need to do the same to Taraba State and all that you have offended as much as you can remember. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
“I want to believe that your sins have not gone beyond the boundary of being forgiven by God because He is a great God of mercy. Even when men get angry because of what you have done over the years, God will still forgive you and grant you heaven, if you genuinely repent and walk in the newness of life. You need to humble yourself and forget your greatness, riches, honour and popularity among men,and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour.”
Enclosed with Rika’s letter were additional publications he offered to supply for Danjuma’s “spiritual edification,” along with titles like “Escaping Hellfire and Entering Heaven Made Simple” and “The Doctrine of Christian Restitution for Your Holiness and Heaven.”