Ekiti State Ministry of Justice’s Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) has filed a lawsuit against Pastor Jeremiah Adegoke and the police at the Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti over alleged infringement of the rights of Chef Damilola Adeparusi aka Chef Dammy.
Adegoke is the head pastor of Spirit Word Global Mission which reportedly sponsored Chef Dammy’s cooking marathon.
The lawsuit was filed barely a week after Chef Dammy, 24, was reportedly arrested on the order of Adegoke.
The 300-level mass communication student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) opened up last month about her travails with the clergyman.
In a post on Instagram Story, she said she received countless threats, insults and bullying from him.
Following Chef Dammy’s public outcry, Agegoke, in a letter signed by his lawyers, dated October 23, 2023, demanded a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement on social media, an apology on two widely read national dailies and payment of a sum of N22 million for damages.
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He gave Chef Dammy seven days to comply with the demands or risk being sued.
However, in the suit filed by DCR on November 24, Chef Dammy was named as the applicant, Adegoke and Ajewole Samuel, the Ekiti State commissioner of police, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17 Akure, were named respondents.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the continued harassment, molestation, threat of arrest, and intimidation by the pastor, allied with Mr Samuel and the Nigerian police, infringes on the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
The lawsuit further demands a restraining order preventing Chef Dammy’s arrest and seeks a compensation of N10 million for aggravation and damages.
