A former Nigerian Minister of Defence, Theophilus Y. Danjuma, has threatened to sue a cleric, Paul Rika, to unfair reference made in his book.
The former Defence boss, therefore, asked the cleric to retract the allegations he made against him in his book.
According his lawyer’s letter, Danjuma is specifically, asking the cleric to print a second edition of the book within 90 days. And to correct unfair references made to him in the book and to pay him N1 billion for damages.
Rika, who is the founder and President of the Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide, wrote the book, titled God’s Message to the Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.
But the former Defence Minister has alleged that the book portrays him as a “wicked, mischievous, evil and anti-democratic person.” Therefore, he is demanding N1 billion as damages from the preacher,
This was contained in letter addressed to Rika by Danjuma’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo.
Among other demands by the former Minister, include that Rika within 90 days print, publish, and distribute a second edition of the book. And apologize for all the “false statements published of and concerning him in the first edition.”
According to the former Army Chief, the book impugned his character, ridiculed him and also jeopardized his business.
Parts of the lawyer’s letter, dated 27 September, read:
“The defamatory statements which you published of, and concerning our client have caused him great discomfort, embarrassment, and annoyance. And have lowered him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public who have read the book.
“Since the publication, he has been inundated with calls and other contacts from several people and leaders within and outside Nigeria, who read the book and are disturbed and disappointed.
“Our client, being a revered octogenarian who has dedicated his life to the service of humanity, is greatly distressed by your defamatory publication. Because his reputation built by a labour of many decades has been assaulted and jolted by your insensitive, malicious, and contemptuous false publication.
“Accordingly, our client has instructed us to commence legal proceedings against you and the Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide [as defendants] to seek appropriate judicial remedies,” the letter added.
The letter stated that remedies being sought included the defendant to within 90 days print, publish, and distribute a second edition of the book. And to apologize to TY Danjuma for all the “false statements published of and concerning him in the first edition.”
TY Danjuma retired as a Lieutenant-General and Chief of Army Staff in 1979. He served as Minister of Defence between 1999 and 2003.
source: Premium Times
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