The Directorate of Citizens Rights (DCR) from the Ministry of Justice in Ekiti State has filed a lawsuit against Pastor Jeremiah Adegoke and the Ekiti State Police Command for alleged infringement of the rights of Ekiti-born Chef Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy. The DCR is seeking N10 million in damages on behalf of the chef.
Chef Dammy, a student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), gained fame after attempting a cook-a-thon challenge to break the Guinness World Record in June. The controversy began in October when the Chef raised alarm over alleged threats and intimidation from individuals she referred to as “people of God” and her pastor, Adegoke.
Adegoke, the head pastor of Spirit Word Global Mission, an Ekiti-based church, reportedly sponsored Chef Dammy’s record-making cook-a-thon. Following Chef Dammy’s public outcry, Adegoke 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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In response, the DCR filed a lawsuit on November 24, naming Chef Dammy as the applicant and Adegoke, Ajewole Samuel, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17 Akure, as respondents.
The case requests a ruling that the applicant’s fundamental human rights are violated by the pastor’s and the Nigerian police’s ongoing harassment, molestation, threats of arrest, and intimidation.