Helen Oritsejafor, wife of the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has threatened two national dailies with lawsuits over alleged libelous publications.
The newspapers are THISDAY with the “Break Up Tales Trail Oritsejafor and Wife” publication and The VANGUARD newspaper with “Oritsejafor, Wife Part ways.”
The 25-year-old marriage of the couple was earlier reported to have crashed over allegations of infidelity, among others.
A close source to Pastor Helen had also said the allegations levelled against her were not true.
Pastor Helen on her verified social media handles also debunked the divorce rumours.
She said; “My attention has been drawn to the fake and malicious news making rounds on blogs, social media platforms and the newspapers against my character and that of my family. It’s totally unbelievable, reprehensible and unthinkable and it’s important that I make the facts clear.
“I am a wife, a mother and a woman of God, and I uphold the tenets of my Christian faith and marriage. My family and home is the most important part of my life.
“I therefore appeal to everyone to put our interest and that of our lovely kids, above the need to profit from this baseless endeavor. My Husband and I are not divorced, unless people get divorced on social media and I have never been unfaithful to my husband, whom I love very dearly.
“These are works of the devil and his agents to dent my character and good works. Over the years, I have committed my time and resources towards reaching out to the needy, providing support to widows and giving scholarships to orphans. I have also taught and mentored a lot of young women on the principles of building and living happily with their spouses through my various platforms both on and offline. I cannot go against my own beliefs.
“Don’t forget that live is a seed. To carry a baseless news not supported is not only malicious but punishable under the law of the land.
“I plead with the general public to give my family the privacy it needs and disregard cheap attempts to dent my image.
“In retrospect to the fake news, I have briefed my lawyers and all necessary legal actions are being taken.
“Thank you all and stay blessed,” she added.
However, Pastor Helen in a document obtained exclusively by The Quest Times on Friday, said the publications in the two newspapers and its contents are false, disparaging, unfounded, without any justification whatsoever, and have caused her public ridicule, odium, scorn and embarrassment.
Pastor Helen in separate letters addressed to the Editors of both Newspapers titled “Re: Libelous Publication Against Dr. Helen Oritsejafor Demand For Retraction And Apology,” said the publication is designed to ridicule her with her family in the estimation of right thinking members of the society, particularly members of her church and associates who may henceforth see her as not being worthy of being entrusted with responsibilities.
She demands immediate retraction of the offensive and highly damaging libelous publications in both newspapers and on all other online platforms within 5 (Five) days of receipt of the letter, with publication of an unreserved apology in the newspaper and 2 (two) other national dailies within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the letter.
In the letter that she wrote through Okey Wali & CO, she threatened to proceed and seek legal redress against them, including but not limited to filing an action for damages for libel and prosecution for criminal libel.
The letter reads; “We have been briefed and our services retained by Dr. Helen Oritsejafor hereinafter referred to as “Our Client” and on whose instruction we write you this letter.
“Our attention has been drawn to your publication in the 11 December, 2022 edition of Thisday Newspaper, where defamatory publications were made against our Client.
“Social media is currently experiencing shock over the recent news about the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. According to the reports, the man who is currently the founder and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church has decided to call it quits with his wife of 25 years, Helen. But separation is one thing: the motivation for separation is something else entirely.
“This is not the first time that tidings about a crisis in the marriage of the Oritsejafors reached the ears of Nigerians. Many times, it seemed as if the marriage was on the verge of falling apart, only to spring back into shape. People have even used that as a sign that people who were meant to be will remain together after 25 years. Alas, all that is no longer tenable.
“Although the news of the divorce of the Oritsejafors has not been announced by either party, sources are certain in their report. One source noted that Helen has left their matrimonial home and relocated to the UK with their children, while Oritsejafor has only returned to the house after abandoning it for a long while.
“There are many stories about why the alleged divorce happened. One such unverified story is that Helen has allegedly been unfaithful for the past 10 years. Another is that she has been overly aggressive towards Oritsejafor, to the point where his church members noticed and raised concerns. Another is that they have been engaged in a long and bitter quarrel and the separation is just the collapse of the last card in their house of cards.
“Essentially, whether online in-laws cast Helen as the devil or Oritsejafor as the next worst thing, the rumour is already a bad sign. And if it is true, then one can only sigh. But marriage has ever only been a thing between two people, so only they know what they faced and are facing.
“The said publication had a picture of Our Client and her husband published with it.
“It is Our Client’s instruction that the above publication and its contents are false, disparaging, unfounded, without any justification whatsoever, and has caused Our Client public ridicule, odium, scorn and embarrassment.
“Furthermore, it is Our Client’s instruction that as a result of your spurious and malicious publication, you have conveyed a false and misleading impression that our Client is a person of low moral standing who has no regards for family ethos and unable to manage the affairs of her home.
“The aforestated publication is designed to ridicule our Client and her family in the estimation of right thinking members of the society particularly, members of her church and associates who may henceforth see her as not being worthy of being entrusted with responsibilities.
“Consequent upon the above, it is Our Client’s instruction that we demand as follows: Immediate retraction of the offensive and highly damaging libelous publication in your Newspaper and on all your other online platforms within 5 (Five) days of your receipt of this letter. Publication of an unreserved apology to Our Client in your Newspaper and 2 (two) other national dailies, preferably, the Guardian and the Vanguard Newspaper, within fourteen (14) days of your receipt of this letter.
“TAKE NOTICE that should you fail, refuse and/or neglect, to comply with the above demands, within the stipulated time frame, we shall proceed with Our Client’s further instructions to seek legal redress against you, including but not limited to filing an action for damages for libel and prosecution for criminal libel. This shall be without further reference to you,” the statement added.