By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
A High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday awarded a cost of ₦250,000 against General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma following his withdrawal of a ₦1 billion defamation suit against Pastor Paul Rika and Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that General Danjuma, through his counsel, Tayo Oyatibo (SAN), had in September 2024 filed the suit against Pastor Rika and Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide, alleging that the cleric published defamatory material against his person in a book titled “God’s Message to the Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.”
General Danjuma alleged that the publication caused direct damage to his reputation both nationally and internationally.
When the case came up for hearing, Barrister Moses Agbede, who appeared for General Danjuma, filed a notice of discontinuation pursuant to Order 25, Rule 2 of the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants, Barristers Noel Ighota and George Agocha Ojeka, confirmed receipt of the notice and raised no objection to the withdrawal.
However, they urged the court to award a cost of ₦10 million against the claimant, citing significant expenses incurred by their clients, including travel, accommodation, and other logistical costs.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice J.O. Pedro, struck out the case and ordered General Danjuma to pay ₦250,000 in costs to Pastor Rika and Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide. The judge also warned against the filing of frivolous actions.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA further reports that the defendants had denied all allegations of defamation, insisting that the book was a faith-based and divinely inspired message rooted in conscience and religious belief. They said the message was addressed to General Danjuma, the Kuteb people, and indigenes of Taraba State, with broader relevance to the Christian community.
