Six church members – Ngozichukwu Onyebuchi (44), Clement Eromosele (26), Chukwudi Akwegbu (26), Chibuzor Chukwu (18), Godspower Enudi (21) and Okorie Livonus (36) – have been arrested by the police and arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ogba for allegedly disturbing the peace of residents of Olaomibiyi Street during a church service. Residents in the area had before their arrest cautioned the worshippers to lower their voices, but they reportedly declined.The church was reported to the police at the Pen Cinema division, and the six members were arrested on 14th January 2016 during Sunday service, while the others were said to be at large.
According to police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, the charges read, “That you, Ngozichukwu Onyebuchi, Clement Eromosele, Chukwudi Akwegbu, Chibuzor Chukwu, Godspower Enudi and Okorie Livonus, and others still at large on Olaomibiyi Street, Ogba, Lagos, on January 14, 2016, at about 8am in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony to wit: conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“That you and others still at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully convert the residential apartment of the aforementioned house to a church and disturb peace of the landlord and other tenants as you were praying on top of your voice, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 166 (1) (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.” Chief Magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni admitted them to bail in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties each in like sum, while the case was adjourned till 15th February 2016 for mention.