For
those religious people, who are perpetually in the habit of disturbing the
serenity of the neighbourhood, by converting residential areas to worship
centres, the case of these six church men might serve as a warning for them to
quit such behaviours.
These
men, namely- Ngozichukwu Onyebuchi (44), Clement Eromosele (26), Chukwudi
Akwegbu (26), Chibuzor Chukwu (18), Godspower Enudi (21) and Okorie Livonus
(36) – were arraigned in a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ogba, yesterday,
for allegedly converting a residential apartment to a church, without
neighbours’ consent.Click after cut for details
As
it was reported in the Punch, Thursday, these guys had been earlier cautioned by
the landlord and other residents, on the menace constituted by their prayers in
the neighbourhood, but they turned deaf ears.
It
was learnt that the church was reported to the police at the Pen Cinema
division, who arrested the six members on January 14 during Sunday service,
while the others were said to be at large.
Charged
on a two counts of engaging in a conduct capable of causing a breach of the
peace, according to a police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, which is
punishable under sections 410 and 166 (1) (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos
State, Nigeria, 2011.
The
accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.
The presiding magistrate, Akanni, admitted them to bail in the sum of N50,000
each with two sureties each in like sum. The magistrate added that the sureties
must provide evidence of tax payments and their residential addresses to the
court for the perfection of the defendants’ bail.
While
this practice is still ongoing in many neighbourhoods, it is understandable
that many denominations have space constraint, which make them convert
residential apartments to worship centres, but the leadership of these centres
need to be mindful of maintaining the peace and order, while they make temporal
use of such apartments.
Else,
the long hand of the law will soon catch up with other offenders.
What is your view on this issue, please?
Kindly drop your comment.
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