As concerned members of the Nigerian and International community, we have been watching in great horror the activities of Evangelist Helen Ukpabio for some time now. After having noted the recent great damage done to Nigeria's reputation by this false prophet's un-Christian teachings, we now feel that we have no option but to call upon the Nigerian Federal Government, Inspector General of Police, Akwa Ibom State Government and Cross River State to act to prevent any further embarrassment being caused.
We believe that the recent attacks of innocent NGO staff and children at the CRARN children's centre were orchastrated by Mrs Ukpabio in an attempt by her to deflect criticism of her and her church's role in the labeling of children as witches, an act which has led to the widepread abuse of child rights taking place in the South-South region. Such violent abuse and labelling of innocent children is clearly an abuse of the Child Rights Act (2004) and, as such, we therefore call for the following:
1/ Urgent in-depth investigations into the recent attack on the CRARN centre and the activities of Evangelist Mrs Helen Ukpabio and Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries to take place for breaches of the recently enacted Child Rights Act, which makes it illegal for children to be labeled as witches.
2/ Closure of all churches found to be labeling children as witches through deliverance or other methods.
3/ Seizure of all assets and illegal wealth of all false prophets such as Helen Ukpabio and redistribution of such funds to rehabilitate the victims of child witch stigmatisation.
4/ Successful prosecution of all pastors and parents found to be labeling children as witches.
We do not wish for the world to continue to focus on Nigeria with negative press and we do appreciate that you continue to monitor the response to the child witch crisis in Nigeria. We wish to encourage you to do everything in your power to fight such perpetrators of evil and uphold the rights of Nigeria's children.
