A Taraba-based cleric and the International Director of the Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide, Paul Rika, has responded defiantly to former Defense Minister Theophilus Danjuma’s threat of a N1 billion lawsuit over alleged defamation.
The cleric asserted that his writings were divinely inspired messages and urged Danjuma to accept them as God’s words rather than pursue legal action.
Danjuma, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tayo Oyetibo, deman on September 27 that Rika retract alleged defamatory statements in his book, “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.”
Danjuma’s letter claimed that sections of the book painted him as “a wicked, mischievous, evil, and anti-democratic person” and demanded N1 billion in damages within seven days.
In a letter obtained by journalists on Wednesday, Rika stood firm, advising the retired general to heed what he described as a divine warning and to consider the message for spiritual reflection.
“God’s message may appear damaging but if we listen, they will change us into what he desires us to be before our death,” Rika stated.
The cleric sent additional books to Danjuma to help him understand the context, explaining that God does not seek to “massage egos” but to convey truth.
Rika 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.”
He added, “If truly you are taking this matter to court, having taken a lawyer for it, then, it shall be you and Jesus, your advocates and the Angels that shall be involved in the court proceedings before the judge which I cannot tell now, while I and those with me may be witnesses. Hence, he that rejects the message of the Lord which He sends through His servant also rejects Jesus and the Father.
“It will be sin and rebellion against God to me, to retrieve from the society the Lord’s message meant to save humanity because a mortal man, who today is and tomorrow is not commands me to do so. We need money for evangelism and soul-winning and to prepare the church for Christ’s return. Is it sensible, therefore, that we should give man money because he said we have offended forgiving him God’s message?
“I am not by this writing stopping you from taking the matter to the court because every man is entitled to his opinion, but I am showing you the implication especially at this age when you should be seeking forgiveness, salvation and grace to escape hell and enter heaven”(Punch)
