Defamation: Lagos-based pastor apologises to Pastor Eneche, wife

A Lagos-based prophet, Godwin Ikuru, has issued a public apology for allegedly defaming and cyberbullying Dr Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and his wife, Dr Becky Enenche.

Earlier, Prophet Ikuru had made disparaging comments about Pastor Enenche and his wife via his social media pages.

In a public apology published on a national daily, Ikuru expressed regret for his defamatory comments directed at the couple, acknowledging that his words were not only misleading but also damaging and completely unacceptable.

Ikuru further admitted that his actions were fueled by ignorance and that he violated the fundamental human rights of the Enenches, especially their right to personal dignity.

He acknowledged his ignorance of the law, noting that his actions amounted to cyberbullying, a crime punishable by imprisonment without an option of fine.

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Ikuru reiterated that Dr Paul Enenche and his wife had never wronged him in any way and that the negative statements made in his videos were unfounded and untrue.

He commended the Enenches as respected servants of God and expressed deep regret for any distress or harm caused to them, their family, and their followers.

His apology reads, “I, Godwin Ikuru, wish to express my sincere apologies for my defamatory, abusive, and hurtful statements against Dr. Pastor Paul “Enenche and his dear wife, Dr. M. Becky Enenche.

It has become clear to me that my words were not only misleading and fallacious, but also intense, hurtful, damaging, and completely unacceptable.

“I have also realized that my actions were motivated by malice, prejudice, hate, and ignorance.

And being thus instigated by hate and bitterness, I acted in breach of their fundamental human rights, especially their right to personal dignity.

“I never knew that my actions amounted to cyberbullying, which is punishable with imprisonment without an option of fine, and this made me liable to imprisonment.

“A member of Dunamis International Gospel Centre invoked the provisions of this law, got me arrested, and charged me to court.

Thus, I owe my freedom to the leniency of Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife for intervening in this case and tempering justice with mercy, as I acted in ignorance of the law.

“This should also serve as a deterrent to all those who engage in cyberbullying, especially against reputable and genuine men of God and fathers of faith in Nigeria, to desist from their nefarious acts or face the wrath of the law.

“I wish to reiterate the fact that Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, never offended me in any way, and that any negative statement I made against them in those unfortunate videos is unfounded and untrue.

They are reputable servants of God, and I hold them in high esteem.

“I had caused great embarrassment through my actions, and I beg them to please accept my most humble and sincere apologies.

“I have fully realized the consequences of my actions, and I am committed to making all necessary amends.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE