Situation Update: Falsehoods from VOM USA

We would also like to address new statements that VOM USA has made regarding this situation. They say that “Nigerian judge dismissed the charges against Rev. Newton-Wusu, citing that he ‘found no evidence against the accused.’ ” This statement is manifestly false on several accounts.

1. They say, “VOM had already ceased supporting VOCM-Nigeria’s work when we became aware of these accusations.” This is completely false as is evident from the timeline of events in our Persecuting the Persecuted video.

2. All charges against Isaac Newton have not been dismissed. This case was dismissed, likely through bribery, as we have explained in a previous update. But there are several other cases currently in the Nigerian courts where Isaac Newton is being prosecuted upon the suit of his victims. Those cases are still ongoing, and it is dishonest from VOM USA to imply that his name has been fully cleared.

3. The only reason that this judge found no evidence against Isaac Newton is that he was unwilling to hear it. He did not hear from a single witness or victim before making his ruling. He also did not hear from the person in the prosecutor’s office who was given responsibility for the case or the government commission of high level officials in the Ogun state government that was assigned to look into the case and suggested that charges be filed.

Be sure that VOM USA is not in the dark about what is going on in Nigeria. They have staff on the ground who are surely aware of what has gone on. They have also certainly seen the videos from witnesses that we have posted. They are spreading a false and dishonest narrative that Isaac Newton has been found innocent. What do they say of the victims and witnesses who have boldly come forward to speak the truth even when they are being threatened with physical harm? They imply that their stories are lies. They are taking the word of a single judge who did not hear a single witness against a host of victims crying out for justice.

The lies from VOM USA do not stop there. In posting their latest statement, they have replaced and removed a previous statement they made on the same issue, but still visible on the Internet Archive. In it they say, “VOM-USA has made a standing offer to pay all legal fees for any potential victim in Nigeria.” They have broken this promise. They have made no effort to meet this obligation by contacting the victims who have publicly identified themselves. While in Nigeria in January, 2018, a group from Reformation Baptist Church came to the VOM office in Nigeria and informed them that we had a list of names of victims and that the US office could contact us to arrange payment of their legal fees. We have heard nothing from them. On June 6th, 2018, a group of former students from the Stephen’s Center, including victims, also visited the VOM offices to ask them to meet this obligation. After saying that they would have to hear the girls stories alone, they never arranged a time so they have failed to do what they have publicly promised.

In another section removed from their statement they said:
VOM-USA will continue to cooperate fully with U.S. and Nigerian authorities in every way possible. It is our sincere hope that if criminal activities have occurred, the criminals will be brought to justice.
Is this no longer true? Will they no longer cooperate with government authorities? Do they no longer hope that criminals will be brought to justice?

If VOM USA has failed to keep a promise that they made publicly to pay for the victims’ legal fees, why can they be trusted when they say that they had no involvement the molestation that occurred? If they were not covering up the abuse, why haven’t they brought in independent investigators to report on VOM USA staff’s involvement as they promised us? When they say all charges against Isaac have been dismissed, are they calling the victims who have come forward liars?