Gen. TY Danjuma Withdraws ₦1bn Defamation Suit Against Cleric
Gen. TY Danjuma Withdraws ₦1bn Defamation Suit Against Cleric
By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Lagos State High Court has struck out the ₦1 Billion libel suit instituted by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd.), against renowned cleric Pastor Paul Rika and Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide (HOREMOW).
This came as Council to Danjuma informed the Court of his decision to discontinue the case, while the court subsequently awarding costs against him and issue a stern warning on the filing of frivolous actions.
In September 2024, following the publication of a prophetic Christian book authored by Pastor Paul Rika titled “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State” General Danjuma alleged that several passages in the book were defamatory, claiming they portrayed him as wicked, evil, anti-democratic, and morally corrupt.
Through his legal team led by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, Danjuma demanded a public retraction, apology, and the payment of ₦1 billion in damages, arguing that the publication damaged his reputation, caused embarrassment, and negatively affected his national and international standing.
Pastor Rika and HOREMOW denied the allegations, insisting that the book was an inspired message from God to Danjuma, Kuteb tribe, and the indigenes of Taraba state (though Christendom are to benefit from the message) rooted in faith and conscience, not a malicious attack. The case was subsequently filed at the Lagos State High Court, Commercial Division, where it generated widespread debate around freedom of religious expression, defamation, and the limits of public criticism.
However, at the hearing on Monday, January 12, 2026, before Hon. Justice J. O. Pedro, counsel to General Danjuma, Barr. Moses Agbede, surprised observers by filing a Notice of Discontinuance under Order 25, Rule 2 of the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, formally withdrawing the suit.
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Counsel to the defendants, Barr. Noel Ighota and Barr. George Agocha Ojeka, confirmed receipt of the notice and raised no objection to the withdrawal. However, they urged the court to award costs against the claimant, citing substantial expenses already incurred by the defendants, including travel, accommodation, and logistics. They requested costs of ₦10 million.
In her ruling, Justice Pedro struck out the suit and awarded ₦250,000 in costs against General Danjuma in favour of Pastor Rika and HOREMOW.
The judge cautioned the claimant and his legal team, warning that they must be careful not to file frivolous or unprepared cases against individuals in Nigerian courts in the future after the Claimant’s Counsel pleaded for waiver of cost, noting that the Rules of the court provides for cost against the Claimant in favour of the Defendants for the expenses incurred as a result of the suit withdrawn/discontinued.
