Crisis Rocks Celestial Church In Lagos State Over Controversial N5million Donation

Crisis Rocks Celestial Church In Lagos State Over Controversial N5million Donation

Tensions boiled over during last Sunday’s service last week when Muyiwa Oluponna, who claims to be the son of the church’s founder, disrupted the congregation in an attempt to assert himself as the parish shepherd.

The Celestial Church of Christ, Acts of Apostle Parish in Ketu, Alapere, Lagos State, has been plunged into a leadership crisis following a controversial N5million donation by the church authority.

Tensions boiled over during last Sunday’s service last week when Muyiwa Oluponna, who claims to be the son of the church’s founder, disrupted the congregation in an attempt to assert himself as the parish shepherd.

It was gathered that Oluponna seized the microphone from the acting shepherd, Adetayo Adetola, during his sermon.

He claimed an exclusive right to deliver sermons on the second Sunday of every month, further declaring himself the rightful leader of the church.

A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, showed Oluponna and several church members locked in a heated argument, with the service descending into disorder.

PUNCH reports that the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) parish has been temporarily shut down for 40 days following a leadership crisis involving a family member of the church’s founder and the parish’s authority.

Meanwhile, the church task force, led by Akinbode Adjovi, enforced the closure to prevent further unrest.  

Adetola, a church member, alleged that Oluponna, a relative of the church founder, disrupted a Sunday service by claiming ownership of a N5million donation meant for church renovations and the construction of a clergy house.  

“That Sunday, our shepherd was not around, and I was in charge of the service. Everything was going smoothly until Oluponna snatched the microphone from me, demanding to speak,” Adetola said.  

Adetola said he allowed Oluponna to speak out of respect for his status as a family member of the church founder.

However, Oluponna declared that the funds belonged to his family and not the church, asserting that the church itself was family property.

He also demanded to be made the parish shepherd and to deliver sermons every second Sunday of the month.  

“When I resumed the sermon, he disrupted the service again, snatching another microphone and attempting to preach. At that point, we resisted him,” Adetola added.  

The parish shepherd, Emmanuel Iperepolu, accused Oluponna of repeated threats and confrontational behavior prior to the incident.

  

“Even before the issue of the donation, Oluponna had been coming to the church to threaten and abuse me and others. After learning about the N5 million, he demanded the money for his family, insisting the church belongs to them,” Iperepolu said.

He noted that the matter had been reported to CCC authorities and the police.  

CCC Head of Media and Publicity, Kayode Ajala, confirmed the church’s temporary closure, citing safety concerns and the need to maintain order.  

“The church is a house of God, but when things escalate and lives are at risk, intervention becomes necessary. We shut down the church to prevent violence while investigations and conflict resolution are ongoing,” Ajala said.  

However, Oluponna declined to comment on whether the donation was at the root of the crisis, stating that the matter was between his family and the church.

Hunger In the Land: Thieves invade Celestial Church, cart away harvest cows

Hunger In the Land: Thieves invade Celestial Church, cart away harvest cows

  

Less than seven days to the ninth “Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service” of the Celestial Church of Christ, Testimony Parish, Elerumoke, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, suspected thieves desecrated the temple of God and made away with two large cows meant for the celebration of the thanksgiving. The animals were worth about N2 million, Saturday Tribune is reporting.

The thieves had struck last Saturday after the shepherd-in-charge of the parish and other notable leaders of the church had gone to bed. Members of the various committees set up by the church were taken by surprise when they learnt of the theft.

A leader of the church identified as Oluso Ayo confirmed the incident to Saturday Tribune on Thursday. He said: “The incident really happened. Suspected thieves invaded our church premises and made away with two cows meant for the harvest celebration. The cows, which were tethered, were untied by the suspected thieves.

We saw the footprints of the thieves and the cows but we cannot say the exact place the animals were taken to. We learnt that such an incident had happened in

the neighbourhood before, but not in our church.”

One of the church members who preferred anonymity said: “If this thing could happen in a church environment, where else is safe in this country? I have never heard before that thieves invaded a church and stole cows, not minding the sizes. The incident is a further confirmation that things have gone awry in this country.

GTBank Alleged Cyberstalking: 3 SANs Storm Court as Justice Faji Denies Journalists Bail

GTBank Alleged Cyberstalking: 3 SANs Storm Court as Justice Faji Denies Journalists Bail

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have joined the defense team for four journalists accused of cyberstalking and defamation against GTCO, the parent company of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje.

The distinguished advocates, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, and Kunle Adegoke, SAN, were present at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Wednesday, accompanied by other legal representatives, including Barristers Olakunle Afolabi and Adebisi Adeniyi, as the trial progresses.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court denied the bail application for the four defendants in case number FHC/L/774C/2024. Justice Faji's decision was based on affidavits filed by both the defense counsel and counter affidavits from the prosecution team.

The four journalists have been held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre since September following their arrests by the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi. 

Defense counsel Afolabi argued for bail on liberal terms pending arraignment, asserting that the alleged offenses are bailable.

The police have accused the journalists—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and publishing false allegations against GTCO and Agbaje through their media platforms.

During cross-examination by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, in the ongoing trial-within-trial, police witness Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abu Michael admitted that the video evidence presented does not capture any instance where the defendants waived their rights to legal representation before providing statements. 

The defendants maintain they were coerced into giving statements despite informing the police that their lawyers were en route.

Justice Faji has requested evidence in the trial-within-trial to substantiate the police's claim that the defendants voluntarily provided their statements. CSP Abu also indicated that the video recordings submitted as evidence were for the first and second defendants, while those for the third and fourth defendants were lost due to technical issues. 

Abu noted that although the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), ASP Yaqob Sule, conducted the questioning, he monitored the proceedings from a separate room.

On Thursday, the prosecution team, led by Aribisala SAN, called ASP Yaqob Sule as the final witness in the trial-within-trial. Sule testified that the defendants voluntarily wrote their statements while in police custody.

Justice Faji adjourned the case to December 10 and 12, 2024, to allow the new defense counsels to confer with the defendants.

It should be noted that the House of Representatives recently launched an investigation into allegations of corruption, falsification of financial reports, and money laundering against Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), and the bank itself. 

The investigation followed a petition submitted by Alhaji Yusuf Kabiru, President of the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, and presented by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi from Delta State to the lawmakers. 

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee reportedly directed Guaranty Trust Holding Company to calculate and remit the Value Added Tax on commissions received from Remita transactions between 2015 and 2022 to the Federal Government. 

The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, who represents Ede South/Ede North/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency in Osun State, issued the directive during an ongoing investigation into alleged revenue leakages through the Remita platform. GTCO’s Executive Director, Mr. Ahmed Liman admitted that the bank had not remitted the VAT for eight years. 

Additionally, the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), a non-governmental organization, stormed the National Assembly on October 3, seeking a legislative probe into alleged “corruption, fraud, and financial irregularities” in the bank. 

In a statement signed by Amb. Comr. Adebayo Lion Ogorry, Director of Publicity and Mobilization, the group claimed that a private investigator’s report revealed that under the leadership of Segun Julius Agbaje, GTCO had engaged in unsolicited account openings, declaration of fictitious profits, round-tripping, money laundering, terrorism financing, and the use of customers’ and investors’ funds to pay penalties in the United Kingdom. 

The journalists currently undergoing trial had brought these issues to public attention in their publications.

BREAKING: Soldiers in Heavy Gunfire Exchange with Notorious Bandit Leader Bello Turji’s Men in Sokoto

BREAKING: Soldiers in Heavy Gunfire Exchange with Notorious Bandit Leader Bello Turji’s Men in Sokoto

There is currently a heavy gunfight between Nigerian soldiers, who are joined by local hunters, and a group of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in Gatawa, a town in Sokoto State’s Sabon Birni local government area.

The fighting began around 6 a.m., as reported by multiple sources in the town, who said the fighting has not ceased even by afternoon.

According to residents, the armed bandits attempted to raid Gatawa, but soldiers and hunters stationed nearby quickly intervened to block their entry. One resident, who requested anonymity, said, “We are suspecting that Bello Turji is personally leading the fight. Fire exchange started around 6am and up till this time (2:45pm) that I am speaking with you, the fight is still on. The two sides are still exchanging fire.

“We are in serious shock because no one knows what will happen in the next few hours. The town is quiet; no movement. No one is coming in or going out of the town at present.

“No one can give you details of what transpired between the soldiers and bandits for now. We can only have details of the encounter when the fight is over.

“We are hoping the soldiers will at the end defeat the bandits. Our prayers are that Bello Turji should be among those to be killed during the fight.”

Another local source described the situation as unprecedented, calling it “the most terrible encounter between soldiers and bandits we have seen in this area.”

The source added, “We have never seen such a battle in this town before. We hope this will be the end of Bello Turji.

“Our hope is that more soldiers will be deployed to the area to support those on ground. I am sure the bandits will also call for reinforcement from their colleagues.”

Residents are also calling for more military reinforcements, fearing that Turji’s group might summon additional fighters.

Turji is known to reside in the forests of Shinkafi in Zamfara State, although his influence and operations extend into parts of Sokoto, particularly Sabon Birni, Isa, and Goronyo local government areas.

You Dont Need To Be A Scientist To Know That Things Are Progressively Getting Bad - Rauf Aregbesola

You Don't Need To Be A Scientist To Know That Things Are Progressively Getting Bad - Rauf Aregbesola

 A Former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has addressed the deteriorating conditions faced by Nigerians under the current administration. He lamented that the situation has progressively worsened over the last couple of months. 

He noted that while there is some prosperity in Nigeria, it is increasingly concentrated among a smaller percentage of the population. He reflected on his own experiences, recalling that during his childhood, wealth was more widely distributed and not as limited to a select few. This shift, he argued, signifies a deepening problem within the country. He emphasized the need for urgent action, insisting that the current state of affairs is not normal as he expressed his deep concern for the future of Nigeria. 

He said in a live coverage by Symfoni, 'We have seen a worsening economic, even political and spiritual condition of Nigerians. And you don't need to be a scientist to know that things are progressively getting bad. Only a smaller percentage of Nigerians are now prosperous; there is prosperity, but it's reducing.

When I was born, wealth was not as limited to a few Nigerians as it is today. And what does that signify? It tells us that we are in deep problem. If things were normal in Nigeria, we know - and everybody knows - that things are not normal. And in addressing it, I'm so much concerned.''

NewsJust In: MC Oluomo Emerges NURTW National President

NewsJust In: MC Oluomo Emerges NURTW National President

NURTW Crisis: MC Oluomo Warns NLC Against Interference

The Southwest Zone of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has elected Alhaji Musliu Akinsaya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the new National President.

Naija News reports that the election was conducted during the Quadrennial Delegate Conference held at the union’s Zonal Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State.

Delegates from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti states participated in the voting process.

The conference, overseen by acting National President Aliyu Issa-Ore, highlighted that the union’s constitution mandates the responsible zone to elect and present its candidate to the National Secretariat.

Representing the National Headquarters in Abuja, Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance, confirmed that the Southwest Zone adhered to the constitutional guidelines in electing MC Oluomo as President.

Additionally, the delegates elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, Southwest, and Akeem Adeosun as trustee representing the zone.

In his acceptance speech after taking the oath of office, MC Oluomo called for unity and peace among members, emphasizing his dedication to maintaining harmony within the union.

“I have forgiven everyone who may have wronged me and hope that those I have offended can also forgive me. This is our union, and we must remain committed to safeguarding it. We will not let anyone jeopardize our source of livelihood,” he stated.

Alleged Cyberstalking: Ogun NUJ Directs Members To Shut Down GTBank Accounts

Alleged Cyberstalking: Ogun NUJ Directs Members To Shut Down GTBank Accounts

 

ABEOKUTA– The Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed its’ members who owns accounts with Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTbank) to shut it down with immediate effect.

The directives comes on the heels of continuous detention of a member of the council, Seun Odunlami in connection with an alleged investigative report involving the bank and it’s Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje.

Recall that Seun Odunlami and 3 others were arrested in a gestapo manner, and has been remanded at the Ikoyi correctional center for more than a month, with efforts to get bail proving difficult.

Speaking with newmen at the council’s secretariat in Iwe iroyin, Abeokuta, Monday, the Chairman of the council, Comrade Wale Olarenwaju noted that the offense with which Odunlami and others was accused of, is a bail-able offense, and being in detention for over 7weeks is against their fundamental human rights.

Olarenwaju however called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to further tinker with the Cybercrime Act of 2024 as amended, saying that the law has been used to cowed the media, with frivolous charges in courts.

” I stand before you with a heavy heart, compelled to address a deeply troubling matter involving the abduction and continued detention of an individual who is unjustly held under dubious circumstances.

“The manner in which this abduction was executed is alarming. It appears that the very institutions that are supposed to protect our citizens are being manipulated for personal agendas.

“This case, which we believe is characterized by a clear abuse of power, reveals a concerning trend where individuals are detained not based on lawful grounds, but rather through the influence of certain powerful entities.

“We must recognize that the use of police forces to enforce such actions is not just an infringement of rights, but a grave infraction on the principles of justice and democracy.

“It is important to stress that this individual is facing charges that are bailable, yet they remain trapped in a web of unlawful custody that violates their rights and undermines our justice system”.

“I hereby call on all journalists in Ogun state to close down their various accounts in GTbank. This also includes all chapels under the Ogun state council.

“I also call on other state councils to join us in this struggle to free our members.

“As we bring this issue to light, we urge anyone with information or influence to stand up against this injustice. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all individuals receive fair treatment under the law, regardless of their circumstances or affiliations”, he said

Hope dims for Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council Member

Hope dims for Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council Member

·      Chief Robert Onome abdicated office; cannot claim benefit of suit he battled against- Okpe Leaders

·      Insist Orerokpe High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain case

Consider legal suit dead on arrival

·      Urge Okpe people not to allow Okpe Union to be captured for selfish, personal or political purposes

·      Say Udogun Okpe not a rubber stamp of an Orodje

 

Leaders of the Okpe Nation on Monday urged Okpe nationals not to be deterred by the recent events in Okpe Kingdom, but to ensure that the Okpe Union autonomy was protected.

 

‘’Being the umbrella membership ethnic organisation of the Okpe Nation which has played several historical roles in the making of the modern Okpe Nation (including the restoration of the Okpe monarchy in 1945), Okpe people cannot afford to allow it to be captured for selfish, personal or political purposes’’.

 

They also implored the Udogun Okpe to be alive to its historical and strategic role of stabilising traditional administration of the Okpe Nation.

 

‘’The Okpe people continue to recognise the unique status of the Udogun and its capacity to ensure that Okpe Kingdom is administered within the traditional doctrine of consultative, democratic, and limited monarchy as opposed to despotic systems inherited by some other kingdoms in Nigeria and the African continent. Indeed, Udogun Okpe is a chamber of sober reflections and not a rubber stamp of an Orodje as Okpe people expect her to play a pivotal role of checks and balances on the Orodje's policies’’.

 

In a communiqué from an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union held on 27th October, 2024, on the approach of the High Court, Orerokpe by a member of the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council, Okakuro Robert Onome to declare him as President General of the Okpe Union, the leaders urged Okakuro Robert Onome to withdraw his baseless and irrational suit at the Orerokpe High Court.

 

‘’The case is res judicata as it has already been decided by a court of competent jurisdiction. A court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot sit on appeal or entertain any facts different from the facts that were laid before the court that had given the judgement. For the sake of emphasis, in paragraph 17&18 of the Affidavit with which the Federal High Court, Lagos gave the Okpe Union Autonomy Judgement on the 19th of January 2023, it was clearly averred that Prof. Igho Natufe was the elected President General whose executive committee instituted the suit. Okakuro Robert Onome is a stranger to that case and can therefore not claim the benefit of a suit that he had battled against, along with the Illegal Interim executive committee. But in any case, the previous tenure which began in November 2016 (with a four-year tenure) was a collective one of the executive committee and not that of one man’’.

 

The leaders described the Orerokpe suit as the height of desperation.

 

‘’The Okpe Union National Executive Committee (NEC) is in possession of videos of his accompanying the nullified Illegal Interim executive committee in press conferences and also in possession of the audio recording of the 3rd of October 2020 event in which he abdicated office. For reasons of preserving the integrity of revered institutions, NEC has resolved not to let the latter one out. NEC shall recommend to the next General Assembly of the Okpe Union the expunging of the name of Okakuro Robert Onome from the list of former officials of the Okpe Union where he fails to accede to this advice’’.

 

The communiqué signed by Prof. Igho Natufe, President General, Okpe Union (Worldwide), Barrister Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin, General Secretary, Okpe Union (Worldwide) and Mrs. Atarhe Abuh, National Publicity Secretary, Okpe Union (Worldwide) said it took over a year for the Palace of the Orodje and a group led by Okakuro Joseph Aboze to whom the Illegal Interim EXCO handed over, to finally accept to comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court.

 

‘’To further destabilize the Okpe Union, the same group of persons who orchestrated the previous destabilization of the Okpe Union have put together another plot with an approach to the State High Court, Orerokpe requesting the court to interpret the Federal High Court, Lagos Judgement for the Prof. Igho Natufe Executive Committee of the Okpe Union and declare former President General, Okakuro Robert Onome as President General’’.

 

The notable leaders vowed to work with all to make the Okpe Nation great.

 

‘’The current National leadership of the Okpe Union pledges to continue working with all to achieve so much more and make the Okpe Nation great again as it occupies its place of pride in the comity of Ethnic Nationalities in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria’’.

 

In the suit filed by Okakuro Robert Onome (Suit No. HOR/M/2/2024), the Orerokpe High Court is being asked to interpret the Judgment of the Federal High Court which was delivered on the 19th of January 2023 in the suit filed by the Prof. Igho Natufe led National Executive Council of the Okpe Union in May 2022 (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/603/2022).

 

The judgement granted all the reliefs sought which include declaration that the purported dissolution of the elected National Executive Council of Okpe Union by HRM Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe was illegal and of no effect whatsoever, nullification of the Illegal Interim Executive Committee headed by Prof. Emrobome Idolor, and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Imposed Interim, their privies and all those who derived authority from their actions from acting in any capacity in the Okpe Union.

   

On the 3rd of October, 2020, for reasons best known to HRM Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe, he invited some leaders of the Okpe Union (under the leadership of Okakuro Robert Onome) to the Orodje's palace where he read out a declaration that he was dissolving the Executive Council of the Okpe Union and imposing his own Interim Executive Committee on the union and banning all members of the then executive committee from getting involved in any leadership position of the Okpe Union for two years.

 

Of the then membership of the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union, only Okakuro Robert Onome accepted the dissolution declaration by picking up the microphone and pledging his support for the Imposed Interim executive committee.

 

Having abdicated the office of President General, by the operation of the Okpe Union Constitution, the next in hierarchy, Mr. Patrick Akpotor assumed the office of Acting President General and led the EXCO to complete the tenure after the General Assembly (the highest decision making organ of the union, held on the 14th of November, 2020), set up an Electoral Committee that conducted elections which the Prof. Igho Natufe led EXCO became elected as the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union on the 15th of May, 2021.

 

 As the Illegally imposed Interim Executive Committee were still parading themselves as the National leadership of the Okpe Union, in spite of several attempts by eminent Okpe nationals to mediate and recommend to the palace not to interfere with the administration of the Okpe Union, the elected National Executive Council led by Prof. Igho Natufe was left with no other options but to approach the Federal High Court, Lagos (suit No. FHC/L/CS/603/2022), in attempt to resolve the matter.

 

Meanwhile, Okakuro Robert Onome and some others teamed up with the Illegal Interim EXCO to approach the Corporate Affairs Commission to appoint a Board of Trustees for the Okpe Union as the previous trustees had all passed on. The legitimate NEC led by Prof. Igho Natufe had already commenced the process of regularising the affairs of the union with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) which included the process of appointing trustees with an application to the Federal High Court, Lagos. The Illegal Interim funded heavily by some Palace chiefs got ahead through the backdoor and surreptitiously procured a new Certificate of Registration with a Board of Trustees that included Okakuro Robert Onome. The elected NEC was however steadfast with the judicial redress believing that the wheel of justice grinds slowly but surely.

 

After nine months, the Federal High Court, Lagos gave judgment/victory to the elected Prof. Igho Natufe led NEC.

 

To ensure that the Board of Trustees and Certificate procured through the backdoor was not employed to further destabilize  the Okpe Union, the court validated Prof. Igho Natufe Executive Committee had to approach the Federal High Court, Abuja (which was earlier used by the Illegal Interim EXCO to legalise their backdoor Board of Trustees/Certificate) so that the same court would vacate the earlier empowering order and nullify the trustees and certificate.

 

On the 30th of April 2024, the Federal High Court, Abuja gave its Ruling (Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/395) and nullified the Board of Trustees/Certificate and ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to expunge them (including Okakuro Robert Onome) from the records of the Okpe Union with CAC.