In a bid to stop the proposed demolition of his church, The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Orisejafor has dragged Lagos state Government and six others before a Lagos High Court.
Joined as co-respondents in the suit are the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the state’s Attorney-General, Lagos state Ministry of Physical planning and Urban Development, Lagos state Building Control Agency, Lagos state Physical Planning Permit Authority, and Lagos state Task force on Environmental Sanitation.
The Incorporated Trustees of Word of Life Bible Church, the claimant is urging the court for an order restraining the defendants their agents, servants, officers or privies from demolishing or further demolishing, destroying, or forcibly ejecting them. The claimant urged the court that they should not continue to take steps or in any other manner engage in any activity(ies) detrimental or contrary to the rights of the ownership or possession of the claimant in respect of the claimants land located at Plot 21E, Abdulrahman Okene Close, Off Ligali Ayorinde Street Victoria Island, Annex Lagos.
The Incorporated Trustees of Word of Life Bible Church, the claimant is urging the court for an order restraining the defendants their agents, servants, officers or privies from demolishing or further demolishing, destroying, or forcibly ejecting them. The claimant urged the court that they should not continue to take steps or in any other manner engage in any activity(ies) detrimental or contrary to the rights of the ownership or possession of the claimant in respect of the claimants land located at Plot 21E, Abdulrahman Okene Close, Off Ligali Ayorinde Street Victoria Island, Annex Lagos.
The claimants in an affidavit filed before the court averred that after applying for building plan approval from the respondents and it was not forthcoming within the regulated period the claimants through Pastor Oritsejafor made due enquires, wrote several letters, and also held meetings with the former governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu and the present governor of Lagos state Babatunde Fashola.
Consequently, in March 2013, the claimant received a letter from the defendants directing them to submit certain documents to facilitate the process of the approval of the building plan which it was complied with.
However, while the claimant was still awaiting the building plan approval so as to continue with its Church building the claimant suddenly discovered that the defendants had pasted a certain contravention notice dated January 20, 2014 on its fence, alleging absence of development permit, as ground of seeking removal of the building on the land within two days.
The defendants, in their counter-affidavit alleged that the action of the claimants of not complying with rules and regulations generated the its supposed action.
They also alleged that the claimant commenced the erection of the structure on the said property without first obtaining a development permit. It was stated further that though, the claimant had applied for the permit, but it did not wait for the approval, rather it continued with the construction of the building.
They also alleged that the claimant commenced the erection of the structure on the said property without first obtaining a development permit. It was stated further that though, the claimant had applied for the permit, but it did not wait for the approval, rather it continued with the construction of the building.
The defendants further added that the claimant has also not provided all that was required to process its development permit.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on today counsel to the church, Mr.A‚ Ndu Nwokocha, ask the court for an adjournment to enable him to respond to the defendants’ counter affidavit served on him at the court.
Thereafter, the presiding judge, Deborah Oluwayemi, after listening to both parties, adjourned the matter to January 13, for hearing
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They want to Islamize Lagos
ReplyDeleteYour views maybe good but my brother the Muslims are our brothers. So we Christians should learn to love and respect them. Thanks brother. From Murphy your Christian brother.
DeleteIt's biblical that Christians shouldn't go to court. Study your Bible pls.
ReplyDeleteThank you sir Oga Anonymous 9:19am. So what does the Bible say about court sir?
DeleteA case between two Christians are settled by the church. A case between the church and government shall be settled court wise. A case between a muslim and a christian shall be settled in court. That is the clear instruction derivable from the scriptures.
DeleteThe bible didn't exactly say Christians shouldn't go to court. It however admonishes believers not to take themselves to court but rather sort their differences within the church.
ReplyDeletewhat happen if the other part is not a church goer or opposite religion?
DeleteIn essence, Oritsejafor admits that he is IN THE PROCESS of getting a building approval, not that he has a building approval.
ReplyDeleteThis clearly shows that, IF he commences any construction, then he us in breach of the urban development laws of Lagos State.
Or us he above the law that requires an Approval before building any structures?
Thank you Anoymous 1127am. The Bible teaches us to respect the law of the land. I am a Pastor too and we had to wait for upward of 6 months before we got approval for our church project. Every born again Christian should obey the law of the land as Jesus did when he was here on earth. Nigeria will only be better if every Christian at least in lagos will obey the law starting from the simplest of the traffic laws and paying and remitting our taxes!
ReplyDeleteI am totally surprised at lack of respect to constituted authority by supposedly men of God. How can you start building construction while your application is being processed. I don't live in Nigeria but I know that no serious government will accept this anywhere. The pastor in question knows he can not do this in UK so while do it in Nigeria.
ReplyDelete