Drama over church demolition in Ibadan

There was drama in Ibadan on Friday as the Oyo State Government demolished the building of Celestial Church of Christ, Onala Parish, Mokola-Sango Road.

 

The church had insisted that the demolition of the building was against a court injunction.

The demolition was carried out in line with the beautification exercise in the state.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the demolition team had arrived at the church around 10 am and defied entreaties by the Pastor, Kolawole Olakanmi, and other members of the church.

 

Olakanmi was reportedly arrested and taken to the Secretariat Police Station with nine other members of the church. He said, “I showed them the copy of the court injunction, but their leader told me that the order was from the governor. I was ordered to be taken and locked up before other members were arrested.”

 

A copy of the court order restraining the state government from embarking on the demolition dated Nov. 28 was made available to journalists. It was given by the Ibadan High Court 14 sitting at MKO Abiola Way (former Ring Road).

 

The state government had, through a demolition notice dated Nov. 16, given the church management three days “to remove the structure and vacate the site.”

 

It added, “The ministry shall enforce the removal and commence legal action against the church (if they fail to comply).”