₦airaland Forum

Rapmoney:
Just recently, we have seen countless posts and articles on why Pastor David Ibiyiomie isn't acting like a Christian or why he should stop 'persecuting' the blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, a woman well known for her frequent defamation of people's character (a crime under the law) and her 'garage journalism' all in the quest to be famous.

Firstly, we should see Pastor Ibiyiomie as a bonafide citizen, a Nigerian, before we take a look at his religious background. He is a Nigerian like every other Nigerian who is entitled to protected rights as eshrined in our constitution. It amazes me that many folks talk about fundamental human rights, yet see everything wrong in punishing people found to have defamed the character of others and criticize the victims when they pursue their rights through legitimate means..

Defamation of people's character is against the law, whether we like it or not. Anyone who feels his character has been defamed is free to seek redress in law courts. It is not out of place. We should stop hiding under religious doctrines to support character defamation in Nigeria. Things like this are not condoned in saner climes. When you say or write negative things about people and accuse them of doing something evil, you must have concrete evidence. Character defamation is not and has never been a comedy or joke! Such things can cause damages and crises in the homes or organizations of victims. Now, we talk of forgiveness? Why did Ananias and his wife, Sapphira die when it was said they told a lie? Why weren't they forgiven by God and the apostles as we have been told in the Bible? Irrespective of our different religions, you cannot separate the laws of the land from the citizens. Even Jesus recognized the laws of the state as at then when he paid taxes to the Roman government. In essence, the law should be allowed to take its course irrespective of our religious doctrines.

Most of these folks castigating Pastor Ibiyeomie never cared to caution Kemi Olunloyo when she was busy writing stuffs about people where there was no concrete (even soft) evidence. The hypocritical nature of many Nigerians has come to play again. How many articles did we read cautioning Ms Olunloyo when she was writing what she wrote? Now, we are seeing floods of posts and articles on social media condemning the pastor on his stand. Sincerely speaking, being a Christian does not mean one should not exercise his or her fundamental rights; it does not mean one should condone character defamation. How many of us do ask if Kemi Olunloyo had any evidence to prove her claims as at when she wrote about the pastor. I am not speaking as a religious person; I am speaking as a Nigerian citizen who is much aware that citizens possess fundamental rights which they should enjoy. I don't know Pastor Ibiyiomie personally and I have never been to his church before. I am not one of those who shout "judge not" or see pastors as saints. What I am saying in essence is that Nigerians should stop criticizing the man because he decided to take a stand that would see that his rights are protected by the law. What is the essence of a crime when there is no punishment?

Kemi Olunloyo deliberately defamed a citizen's character. That is the fact; whether it involves a pastor, magician, juju priest or a Bhudda whorshipper is irrelevant here. She should face whatever punishment the law dishes to her. Let it serve as a lesson for others who defame the character of others, especially, on social media, as a thing of joke or to increase popularity.

analice107:
You have called him names forgetting he could be your father. You have a father right? You shall grow old, you shall reap. Words are seeds, they will ripe at the appropriate time and you enjoy them. Try not to forget your insults on people old enough to be your grand Dads.


And, don't forget that this man has a family and that this defamation can destroy his family. We are so hung up on,"He is a man of God". Yes he is, but is a man first, and like the Op said, a citizen with rights.

Why is there no one saying anything against the woman? Are her activities right?

Lets not forget that the hand of the clock rotates.

i am not in support of Kemi but he shouldn't be called a man of God Imagine going to his church then he preaches about forgiveness something he doesn't practice

Abeg make the man Resign as pastor

All of a sudden, Christ has become a Character we should emulate, he is no longer a myth. lol

She has committed a crime, let her face the law. At least the Pastor didn't gather all his Challengers Squad members to lay curses on her, that would have been worst.

Ken4Christ:
The arrest was unnecessary as Jesus already told as ahead that people will say all manners of evil against us falsely. Matthew 5:11

Jesus further said when you experience such, just rejoice and be exceedingly glad for your reward is great in heaven. Matthew 5:12

So, by punishing someone who defames your character as a believer, you just went against Christ instruction. In addition, you have lost your reward in heaven on this issue.

The word of God is our manual for life and we should follow it.

analice107:
God bless you sir.

The worst is when those who called themselves Christians take sides with the hypocrites against a servant of God.

superior1:
Dear Sister, how is it going?

analice107:
Going very well sir. How is God treating you?

I so missed you.

superior1:
Faithful as usual

analice107:
God bless us.

kingreign:
You've been really scarce.