The Controversy Surrounding Gen T Y Danjuma’s One Billion Naira Lawsuit Against Pastor Paul Rika
By Oliver Uche
I have been closely monitoring the developments in Taraba State since 2015 with a deep interest in its political, cultural, and religious aspects. This keen interest stemmed from my business partnerships with individuals hailing from the region who exhibit a profound passion for their state. Upon personally visiting Taraba State, I can confidently affirm that it stands as a significant asset to Nigeria. However, it is unfortunate to note that the state is marred by divisions along religious and ethnic lines, manipulated by the elites for their own political gains.
Recently, I had the privilege of acquiring a copy of a Divine Revelations on Taraba State, specifically titled “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State” written by Pastor Paul Rika, the preacher of holiness and the International Director of Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide (HOREMOW). Delving into its contents, I pondered on the feasibility of a potential reconciliation between the former Army Chief and Minister of Defense, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, and the Muslim Community in Taraba State as revealed in the book because I know the role the General has played in making sure Muslims never take over the political landscape of Taraba State no matter how qualified the candidate is.
Subsequently, upon receiving information from a friend regarding the recent letter dated 27th September, issued by General T Y Danjuma, through his legal counsel Tayo Oyitebo LP, to Pastor Paul Rika, the International Director of Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide (HOREMOW), concerning his recent publication, I was immediately captivated. In his communication, General Danjuma sternly threatens legal action, demanding one billion naira if the aforementioned book is not promptly withdrawn from public circulation.
Pastor Rika’s book, “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State,” delves into the spiritual aspects of General Danjuma’s historical conflict with the Kuteb nation and his political-religious aspirations in Taraba State. The book is structured into three sections: “Jesus’ Message to the King, Ukwe Rimamnyang Abu Ahmadu II of Takum;” “The Malevolent Schemes of General T.Y Danjuma against the Kuteb and Taraba Indigenes;” and “The Divine Words and the Optimal Resolution for the Kuteb and Taraba Indigenes.”
In the book’s preface, Pastor Rika asserts that the revelations contained within are divine in origin, aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by the Kuteb people and the natives of Taraba State. He states, “It is the will of the Lord, at this moment, to utilize me as the vessel to deliver His salvation to the tribes of Taraba, particularly the Kuteb tribe to which I belong. By unveiling the concealed realities within their midst, which their adversary seeks to exploit for their impending doom, God intends to intervene and rescue these vulnerable souls from the clutches of a formidable foe.”
Pastor Rika believes that sharing these revelations will liberate the Kuteb people and the residents of Taraba from the malevolent influence of evil, enabling them to serve the Lord and receive His abundant blessings, both in this life and in eternity. He calls upon all individuals who cherish the Kuteb people and the Taraba State natives, and who have faith in the divine revelations and prophetic message conveyed in his book, to join him in fulfilling this sacred mission.
Tayo Oyitebo LP, the legal firm representing General Danjuma, has dispatched the strongly worded memorandum dated 27th September 2024 to Pastor Paul Rika, titled “Memorandum Outlining Claims and Proposed Settlement Regarding Defamatory Assertions in Your Publication Entitled ‘God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State’ Directed Against General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON (RTD).” The memorandum asserts that the statements made in the book concerning their client are reckless, ill-considered, and highly defamatory, devoid of any semblance of truth. These statements are alleged to not only tarnish General Danjuma’s reputation, inviting public scorn and aversion towards him, but also to incite public animosity and disdain without regard for his well-established standing in Taraba State and Nigeria as a whole. “The defamatory remarks attributed to General Danjuma in the publication have caused him considerable distress, embarrassment, and irritation, diminishing his standing in the eyes of conscientious members of society who have perused the book. Subsequent to the book’s release, General Danjuma has been inundated with communications from various individuals and leaders within and outside Nigeria who have read the book and expressed their dismay and disapproval.”
The legal representatives intend to pursue a court declaration affirming that the contents of the book are defamatory towards General T.Y Danjuma, an injunction prohibiting Pastor Paul Rika and HOREMOW, along with their employees, agents, or representatives, from printing, publishing, or disseminating the book in question, and a monetary claim of One Billion Naira as general damages for the defamatory statements disseminated.
This great controversy has generated a lot of questions in the minds of the members of the general public: Is there tangible evidence of atrocities committed by General Danjuma against the Kuteb nation that can be presented in court? Is there substantiation to support Pastor Rika’s disclosure that General Danjuma, after a prolonged period of distancing himself from the Muslim Community in Taraba, will eventually align with them in the twilight of his life to protect Chamba’s interest in Taraba? In his advanced age, is General Danjuma publicly displaying concern for the Chamba people, ensuring they are accorded political and traditional precedence in Taraba State as detailed in the book? Why is Southern Taraba so fragmented along ethnic boundaries without any intervention from General Danjuma?
Other questions may include: Does the judiciary possess the authority to scrutinize divine revelations from a clergyman? Are there indications of religious and ethnic schisms in Taraba State that can be linked to General Danjuma as revealed in the book? Are there individuals willing to testify in court about the atrocities committed against the people of Taraba State, whether directly or indirectly, by General T.Y Danjuma? Will the legal confrontation with Pastor Paul Rika further demystify General Danjuma in the eyes of the public regarding the suffering of the Kuteb and other communities Taraba? Is the public reputation of General Danjuma more important than the lives of those devastated by his actions in Kuteb Land and other communities in Taraba? Is it possible that the General Danjuma that is known in Nigeria and the world beyond is different from the General Danjuma known by the Kuteb and other Indigenes of Taraba State because of his legacies back home?
Pastor Paul Rika and the HOREMOW ministry are renowned for openly rebuking sins and sinners to establish a Holy Church of God before the imminent rapture. In his books and sermons, Pastor Rika has forthrightly and courageously condemned false teachers and prophets in Christendom who oppose the sanctity of God’s people in these last days, mentioning their names and openly calling upon them to return back to God’s true path of holiness and righteousness as demanded by His word. This is why I believe General Danjuma need to rethink his actions and humble himself before God and acknowledge this revelation as a divine message of love to safeguard his soul from eternal separation and damnation. I foresee that this controversy may demystify him especially in this information age. Those who live in glass house should not throw stones. Pastor Paul Rika is simply a messenger of God with a message to the General and the people of Taraba State. No laws in our land forbid him from doing so.
It is also interesting to note that the Revelations which was given in early months of 2024 made it clear that General Danjuma will publicly reconcile with the Muslim Community in Taraba which was strange to many readers including myself, until it came to pass in early October 2024 when for the first time in his life, General Danjuma visited the Palace of Emir of Muri, HRH Abbass Njidda Tafida to pledge loyalty to the stool and accept a traditional title of “Sadaukin Muri.” This has kept many people talking, but God Almighty has long revealed it to His servant Pastor Paul Rika who has put the Revelations into a book for people to read before it came to pass. How can such Revelations be withdrawn from the public circulation because of the reputation of a man that has openly accused the army of colluding with bandits with the army swiftly pointing back at him as the man behind the ethnic and religious divisions in Taraba State which has contributed significantly to the insecurity in the region?
“Without vision the people perish,” as “the Lord God does nothing unless he reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets”. “The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— who can but prophesy?” Indeed the Lord God works in a mysterious way, hence we must be watchful and prayerful for God to continue to strengthen His servant to remain courageous in times like this. We must also pray for the grace of God upon the life of General Danjuma, to humble himself before the Lord and harken to his voice and become a genuine instrument of justice and peace in Taraba State especially in his hometown of Takum.
The unwavering ministries of John the Baptist, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the early Apostles were resolute in denouncing evil, wickedness and errors in land as they preach the gospel of love, justice and peace. Although by sharing divine warning to man, their lives are endangered, God’s servants strive to please God rather than humans. Therefore, I do not foresee Pastor Paul Rika retracting this Revelation from circulation as threatened by General Danjuma through his legal team. Once God’s message comes out from His servants it must not return void without accomplishing its purpose. All these legal threats are part of the divine arrangement to accomplish through the ministry of His Servant, Pastor Paul Rika. We must intensify prayers as he carry out this great assignment with a great sense of responsibility.
The days ahead promise to be intriguing as the controversies unfold to the glory of God!
Oliver Uche
A Christian Businessman and Public Analyst writes from Lagos, Nigeria
