An email from Asuquo Okon to Sam Ikpe-Itauma (CRARN), Gary Foxcroft , replies and a legal write from Helen Ukpabio.

Dear Mr Sam Ikpe-Itauma,

I just came in to Uyo two days ago from Lagos when I found this poster and other adverts especially Radio and TV, by the Liberty Gospel Church Headed by Helen Ukpabio, inviting members of the public to come for deliverance from witchcraft power. As I am writing now there is a foot-soldier rally by thousands of their members running around Uyo with flyers and loud spearkers making a hell of noise to attract the ignorant people fo the witchcraft campaign

I know, from expirience that this is another campaig to falsely identify witches and wizards. I am writing to know if there is any way you and yur organisation can rightly stop it from holding. It is highly diturbing if the Government of Akwa State is not aware of this planned rally with the high level of publicity being given to it.

I know from the study of your website www.crarn.org and news about in newspapers and internet there is a lot of work for you and your organisation, but some sensitve issues like this shouldnt be ignored. I know, too, there have been attempts on your live. Only God will protect you and the children CRARN is taking care of.

I wrote two days ago to the Governor complaining about this, I dont know if it has got to him. I wish you could please, let him know that this campaign wil not bring anything good spiritually or physically to the state; and therefore put a stop to it.

From the past where these kinds campaign and rally were held, what good result has it brought to the State or the Country apart from merely identifying people as witches and wizards or creating fears in minds of peolpe, enslaving them and sowing seeds of discord in the families. It sad that churches have stopped preaching about salvation, repentance and charity, But are deeply preaching about witchcraft as if it has now become God.

Plaese, do let me know what you think about this.

Thank you for spending time on this issue.

Mr. Asuquo Okon

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Dear Asuquo,

I really thank you for expressing your concern to CRARN about this witchcraft belief. Undoubtedly, I am not working with government and as such I can not hold brief for them. I will forward your concern to the government. I do believe they will do something about it. At least your piece will let the people to know that we are no longer the alone in quest to fight superstition and ignorance.

I will definitely like people like you to come on board and shout to the peak to end this unfortunate belief. But I want to let you know that even the government are not only coming up with policy to outlaw the practice of stigmatisation but also going ahead to arrest those found culpable. This shows some level of concern on their part and gives credence to the fact that, contrary to what some religious leaders are saying that we want to deceive people with our strange belief about the existence of witchcraft and that no child is stigmatsed by churches and their leaders.

I want to strongly observe here that the timing of your e-mail is to a greater extent, belated, given the fact that the rally begings today. I arrived the State yesterday after a two-day journey. We discussed this briefly yester evening, and we will keep a close whatch on some religious activities and let the public know. I know it is a crime that we must continue commit - I mean letting the people know that in Akwa Ibom State, there is no civil unrest, no civil diturbances,no state of emmergency, no tribal war, no communal clashes. What we have is the branding of inncent children as witches and wizards in churches, torture, trafficking and even killing. There is no doubt about this, as we have monumental evidence to show for this.

If we are able to override ignorance and the fear arising from superstition, Akwa Ibom State will be a near-heaven State. Akwa Ibom will be 100% ok. Please, don't doubt me. For instance, the Niger Delta Militants dont have abode here, they come from neigbhouring States, including the bank robbers and sea pyrates. There is no hiding place for them in Akwa Ibom State.

You are correct to say that some miscreants are gunning for our heads. But if fighting for the right, suvival and freedom of innocent children is a crime that needs our heads, we shall continue to commit the crime.

I have just received a letter from the Evangelist Helen Ukpabio's Liberty Gospel church Lawyer demanding apology and a whooping N10Billion from CRARN or we will face prosecution from March 31st 2009. May be we will have to pack the 180 children in the CRARN Centre and give to them to mint out the money from them.

I hope to leave you now.

Thanks.

Sam Ikpe-Itauma

The President

Child's Right And Rehabilitation Network (CRARN),

Ikot Afaha-Idung Ukpa,

P. M. B. 1042 Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Visit our websites @ www.crarn.org or http://crarn.tripod.com

Phone (Hotline ): +2348026693099

Talk to the children direct, call +2348086754666

Regististered with Corperate Affairs Commission Abuja, Nigeria.

Charity Number: CAC/IT/No 27195

CRARN: Protecting and rehabilitating a child.

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Dear Sam/Asuquo,

Many thanks for this. It seems that Helen Ukpabio is trying to show her
strength in the State and, like CRARN, Stepping Stones received a legal
writ yesterday demanding $1billion !!!!

My feeling is that we need to respond to this as quickly as possible. It
would seem that her "Crusade" in Uyo is for three days. This gives us time
to pressure the State Government to stop it or at very least monitor her
activities.

Ultimately this Crusade has the potential to cause great embarresment for
the Akwa Ibom state Government, should we choose to take the issue to the
international media, who I am sure would be very interested in the story.

Ultimately though the State Government have been taking a very commendable
lead on this so I think we you always try to focus on the positive
interventions. I just hope that they will see the need to do something
about this crazy woman and prevent further reputational damage being
rought on Akwa Ibom.

Let us not ever forget that this woman is evil and unGodly. One day soon
she will get what is coming to her.

Look forward to hearing your views on this,

GAry

--
Programme Director

Stepping Stones Nigeria,
24 St Leonard's House,
St Leonard's Gate,
Lancaster,
Lancs,
LA1 1NN,
UK.

Tel Office: 0845 3138391

www.steppingstonesnigeria.org

Protecting, Saving and Transforming the Lives of Vulnerable and
Disadvantaged Children In the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Registered UK and Wales charity number 1112476
Company number 05413970

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1Helen Ukpabios request N10 2Helen Ukpabios request N10

3Helen Ukpabios request N10 4Helen Ukpabios request N10