What could have led to this? A 56-year-old pastor, Jones Nwaeze, of the Minister of Gospel of God Church, located in Ojodu area of Lagos, has been accused of chasing out worshipers of the church and threatening to set the house of worship ablaze.
It was learnt that trouble started on February 12, 2017 at the church located on Tina Street, Ojodu, when Pastor Nwaeze allegedly invaded the church and assaulted worshipers with a stick over claims of ownership of the church.
NAN reports that Nwaeze was dragged before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos on charges of breach of the peace and assault on Friday.
Prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose said Nwaeze allegedly gained access into the church auditorium while a service was ongoing.
He told the court that as a security man tried to prevent him from gaining access into the church, Pastor Nwaeze hit him with a stick in the head and dragged him on the ground.
The accused allegedly claimed ownership of the church saying he had invested heavily in it by bringing converts and wanted a share of the proceeds of the church.
“One of the worshipers alerted the police who rushed to the scene,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 166 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Pastor Nwaeze was granted bail in the sum of N20,000.