By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Former minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.), has withdrawn the ₦1 billion defamation suit he instituted against Pastor Paul Rika and Holiness Revival Ministry Worldwide (HOREMOW) at the Lagos State High Court.
The suit, filed in September 2024, accused Pastor Rika and HOREMOW of publishing defamatory material in a book authored by the cleric titled “God’s Message to the Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.” General Danjuma alleged that the publication damaged his reputation and negatively affected his national and international standing.
The case, which attracted national and international attention due to the prominence of the parties involved, was formally discontinued on January 12, 2026, through a notice of discontinuance filed by Danjuma’s legal team led by Chief Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.
Following the withdrawal, the Lagos State High Court struck out the suit and awarded cost against the claimant, while also issuing a stern warning against the filing of frivolous actions.
Presiding over the matter, Hon. Justice J. O. Pedro struck out the case and ordered General Danjuma to pay ₦250,000 in costs to Pastor Rika and HOREMOW.
During proceedings, counsel to General Danjuma, Barrister Moses Agbede, filed the notice of discontinuance pursuant to Order 25, Rule 2 of the Lagos State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, a move that surprised observers of the case.
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 costs against the claimant, citing significant expenses incurred by their clients, including travel, accommodation, and logistical costs.
The defence had requested ₦10 million in costs.
In the ruling, Justice Pedro declined the higher amount but held that the Rules of Court clearly provide for the award of costs in favour of defendants where a suit is withdrawn or discontinued. She therefore awarded ₦250,000 against the claimant.
The judge also cautioned General Danjuma and his legal team to exercise greater diligence in the future, warning against filing cases that are frivolous or insufficiently prepared.
Earlier in the proceedings, Pastor Rika and HOREMOW had denied all allegations of defamation, insisting that the book was a faith-based and divinely inspired message addressed to General Danjuma, the Kuteb people, and indigenes of Taraba State, with broader relevance to the Christian community.
They maintained that the publication was rooted in conscience and religious belief, not malice.
The case, which was heard at the Lagos State High Court, Commercial Division, generated widespread debate on the balance between freedom of religious expression, defamation laws, and the limits of public criticism in Nigeria.