Aggrieved ex-member sues Church, Senior Pastor, others, over allegation of incitement

Published

April 7, 2025

Mr Olabode Tijani, an aggrieved and former member of Dominion Chapel Church International, Favour House Branch, Lugbe in Abuja, has sued the church; the Senior Pastor, Eyong Eyong, and others for allegedly inciting his wife, Mrs Abolore Tijani, to divorce him.
Also joined in the suit are President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Mrs Doris Eyong as 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants respectively.
The Dominion Chapel and Pastor Eyong are sued as 1st and 4th defendants in the writ of summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1402/2024 filed by Tijani’s lawyer, Hassan Omolowo, before Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observes that Tijani, a Civil Engineer and Founder cum President, Registered Trustees of Downtrodden Peoples Empowerment Foundation Worldwide (1st claimant), is the 2nd claimant in the suit dated Sept. 17, 2024 but filed Sept. 18, 2024.
Tijani is praying the court to declare that the church amd its officials at Favour House, New Site Estate, Lugbe Branch in Abuja have no right to interfere in the marital affairs of its members to the extent of separating them and encouraging divorce among them.
He is also praying the court to declare that they have no right to prevent him “from accessing his wife and family within the church premises in full view of the members of the church and bystanders on the 1st day of September, 2024 at about 8am thereby further lacerating his family relationship.
“A declaration that the 1st defendant (Dominion Chapel) and its officials have no rights to have received and quartered the members of family of the 2nd claimant and their property (including the 2nd claimant’s property) for 13 {thirteen} days (at the time of filing this suit).”
He wants the court to declare that the church and its officials had breached his fundamental rights to fair hearing when before hearing his own side of the matter, they proceeded to accommodate his family of six for 13 days, at the time of filing the suit.
He wants the court to declare that the church has violated one of the core qualifications for being a member of CAN.
Tijani, therefore, prayed the court to make an order, compelling the church and its officials to immediately return the family members, family property and his documents to the family domain and quarters at Tudun Wada, Lugbe, Abuja.
He urged the court to make an order restraining the church, Pastor Eyong and his wife including their agents “from further encouraging the divorce, separation of the family of the 2nd claimant, and termination of the marriage of the 2nd claimant and other members of the church and all Christians all over the world.”
He prayed the court to make an order, compelling CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, to sanction the church from engaging in, and pursuing anti-Christian activities within its domain.
He also sought an order compelling CAN president to sanction and prevent Mrs Eyong (pastor’s wife) from holding responsible positions within the church “because of her unchristian utterances and postures.”
He sought an order restraining the church, Pastor Eyong and Mrs Eyong from intimidating, harassing and further interfering in his family affairs.
He equally sought an order compelling the church, Pastor Eyong and Mrs Eyong to issue and publish a public apology to him in two national! dailes.
Tijani, who seeks a special damages In the sum of N1 million, also seeks general damages in sum of N200 million, including “a cost of litigation in the sum of N5 million.”
In his statement of claim, Tijani averred that he had been married to Mrs Abolore for 23 years and had gone through varied challenges and experiences with her.
He said their marriage yielded five children “comprising three daughters including a set of twins and two sons.”
He said they voluntarily joined the church five years in Power House branch before moving to Favour House branch two years later.
He said he had allowed unlimited access to, and regular attendance of church services by members of his family to the extent that all the children are involved in one church work and duty or the other.
According to him, Mrs. Tiant A. Abolore is a member of the women group and contributes to the progress of the church.
Tijani said he “is a member of the 1st defendant (church) and attends the services of the Power House and Favour House branches of the 1st defendant.”
He said on Aug. 31, 2024, he had cause to advise his twin daughters on the need to save the little money they are earning because of the future only for his wife, Mrs Abolore, to intervene and interfere by holding his trouser.
He said on Sept. 1, 2024, he also advised his children to attend the church next door as “GOD is everywhere” but they did not listen.
He said when his wife complained of being indisposed, he gave her money to go and treat herself but instead of going to buy drugs with the money she allegedly decided to go to the Favour House branch of the church.
He said three hours later after his wife did not return, he went to Lugbe branch of the church to look for her.
“Upon getting to the church, the 2nd claimant (Mr Tijani) was told by the security guards that they have been given instructions not to allow him enter the church and thereupon, the elder of the church, the 5th defendant (Mrs Eyong) and other church members came out and denied him access to see his wife who was inside the church.”
Tijani alleged that upon being denied access to his wife, he went to the shop he had personally established for his wife and upon entering the shop, Mrs Eyong allegedly harassed him that it was a criminal act for him to enter the shop without his wife’s knowledge.
He alleged that the pastor’s wife proceeded to tell the security personnel to chase him out anytime they see him within the church premises and further proceeded to padlock the shop he set up for his wife.
He said Mrs Eyong allegedly proceeded to threaten him about directing his wife to serve him with divorce letter and also to go to the NAPTIP to lodge complaint against him.
Tijani said he responded that since Mrs Eyong was not the one who joined them together in marriage, he would rather take his wife back to Ibadan, the home town, if he wanted to divorce her, and not in Abuja.
He said he believes that the Bible does not support divorce except in cases of sexual immorality and adultery.
He alleged that the senior pastor and his wife were instrumental in the conveyance of his family property to the church and that his family members “have been in the church’s children’s class for 13 (thirteen) days now.”
He said since his family moved out of his house, he had “been feeding irregularly and dysfunctionally at ‘Mama Put’ roadside restaurants with the health hazards involved.”
Besides, Tijani said he has to personally clean his house and wash clothes and other valuables by himself.
“The claimants state that the 2nd claimant has not had physical access to his wife for 13 (thirteen) days now.
“The 2nd claimant was deprived of the opportunity of sending his children back to school when they resumed on the 2nd day of September, 2024 by the 1st, 4th and 5th defendants,” he said.
He alleged that the senior pastor and his wife had caused to administer to his wife drugs unknown to him, and without his knowledge and without his permission.
According to him, he had undergone a most excruciating and debilitating embarrassment of his life when he was publicly deprived of access to his wife and the security personnel were instructed not to allow him to enter the church premises.
When the matter came up before Justice Olotu, Omolowo, who appeared for Tijani, informed the court of their intention to amend the suit.
Lawyer to the church and the pastor, A.O. Igeh, did not oppose the application and Justice Olotu adjourned the matter until May 29 for hearing.(NAN)

News

Three police officers, one army captain get community impact award

Published

17 hours ago

June 12, 2026

olalekan

3 police officers, 1 army captain get community impact award

Three police officers and one army captain have received the prestigious Community Impact Award for professionalism and humility in the line of duty from the Youth Initiative for Fitness and Impact (YIFI).

The awardees are Capt. Ishaq Abdulhamid, Officer Commanding (OC), Forward Operational Base (FOB) Bwari, and DCP Toyin Sulyman, Deputy Commissioner, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Others are ACP Michael Tarfa, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Homicide, FCID, and CSP Ajaegbu Onyeka, Area Crime Officer, Karu Area Command.

Speaking at the award presentation, the National President of YIFI, Kenneth Chima, said the awards were part of activities to mark Global Wellness Day (GWD) coming up on June 13.

According to him, the day was established as a non-profit social project in 2012 to promote holistic well-being and healthier lifestyles.

”It was created in Turkey in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy and is now celebrated in over 100 countries with entirely complimentary and volunteer-led activities.

“Today is a very special day for us in YIFI, because it is part of our activities to mark GWD, coming up on Saturday.

“As our name implies, fitness, we deem it fit to recognise and appreciate exceptional police officers who have done well in their professions.”

He explained that some of the officers were nominated, screened and vetted.

”We have approved them. That is why we are here.

“We gave a Community Impact Award to these exceptional officers who have demonstrated superior dedication and commitment to community safety and peace.

“We did this to appreciate and encourage them to continue to exhibit these good deeds. When you die, the only thing that can speak for you is not your words but your deeds,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Tarfa appreciated YIFI for the award.

“It is an honour that I appreciate. I pledge to do more. I will not relent, in spite of any pressure.

”By the special grace of God, I will continue to protect lives and property and ensure that the people have a better life.

“This award is coming at a good time and I want to appreciate you for recognising me. On behalf of other recipients, we are grateful,” Tarfa stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that YIFI will host a fitness and wellness event in Bwari on June 13 to commemorate GWD. (NAN)

News

*Senate orders Police to arrest bandits doing millions of naira giveaways on TikTok

Published

18 hours ago

June 12, 2026

olalekan

The Senate has called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement against bandits and terrorists who openly display their criminal activities and proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, amid rising concerns over the growing use of digital platforms by criminal networks.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, on the escalating wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country.

During the debate, lawmakers also backed an additional prayer moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, urging coordinated action by the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to track, monitor and arrest individuals using social media to publicise criminal operations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern that armed groups were increasingly leveraging social media not only to flaunt illicit wealth but also to conduct public displays of influence.

“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she said.

She questioned why such online activities had not led to arrests despite clear digital footprints.

“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

The motion was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and enjoyed broad support across party lines, reflecting growing legislative alarm over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked online criminal exposure.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the trend as a direct challenge to state authority and an indication of rising impunity among criminal groups.

“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” he said.

He warned that the circulation of videos showing cash displays and criminal activities online was being used to undermine government institutions.

“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.

Akpabio urged security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security priority, calling for stronger coordination and real-time digital monitoring.

“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said.

He also stressed the need for transparency in enforcement efforts, insisting that Nigerians must be informed when arrests and prosecutions are made.

“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” the Senate President stated.

News

Questions, reaction over reported death of 200 Amotekun operatives

Published

18 hours ago

June 12, 2026

olalekan

Oyo APC demands clarification over reported death of 200 Amotekun operatives

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described as “saddening, alarming and unacceptable” the reported death of more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps, in undisclosed circumstances.

The party called on Governor Seyi Makinde to provide full details surrounding the revelation and ensure adequate protection for security personnel and residents across the state.

Governor Makinde had on Saturday, May 30, during a sympathy visit to Oriire Local Government Area, disclosed that over 200 Amotekun operatives had lost their lives in active service, without giving further explanation of the circumstances leading to their deaths. The visit followed an attack on Friday, May 15, in which suspected bandits killed two people and abducted over 40 schoolchildren and teachers.

Reacting on Thursday, the Oyo APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, in Ibadan, expressed shock at what it described as the governor’s “flippancy” in handling such a sensitive disclosure.

“With this ugly development, there is no denying the fact that the current administration in Oyo does not attach much importance to the lives of the people,” the party said.

“How can a governor mention the death of over 200 dedicated crime fighters flippantly and without any recourse to the feelings of their family members and loved ones? Why did the governor withhold information on the high casualty figures of the slain Amotekun Corps?” it queried.

The APC argued that the reported fatalities raised concerns about the level of insecurity in the state, suggesting that crime may have reached an alarming peak.

“For Oyo to have recorded such a high number of fatalities among its security team, it indicates that crime rates in the state have reached the crescendo while the state government covers up a whole lot of things,” the statement added.

The party also raised questions about the welfare, training, and operational structure of the Amotekun Corps, urging reforms and improved coordination with federal security agencies.

“The revelation by the governor also raises a lot of questions regarding the condition of service in the Amotekun Corps Service,” it said.

“From our own discreet investigations, we found that Makinde has failed to work a synergy between the corps and the federal security agencies on account of needless ego and cluelessness,” the APC added.

It further urged the state government to strengthen security coordination and prioritize professional standards within the corps.

“The practice whereby Amotekun Corps members are being deployed to man hotels, properties and business facilities belonging to friends and political associates of the governor should be stopped, while only competent hands should be recruited, even as training, retraining and good welfare packages must be put in place for the officials for them to operate under minimum risk and high motivation,” the party stated.