For residents of Ijapo estate in Akure, the Ondo State capital, it was like a scene from one of the Nollywood movies following public row involving a Judge who is currently serving at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal, pastors and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Glory Tabernacle.
DAILY POST gathered that the Judge, Justice (Mrs) Folayemi Omoleye allegedly assaulted worshippers at the church when she stormed the premises over allegations of public disturbance.
The judge whose private residence is located beside the church has been having a running battle with the church, over alleged claims that service from the church disturbs her.
According to eyewitnesses, Justices Omoleye allegedly came inside RCCG, Glory Tabernacles, Ijapo Estate, Akure on June 5, 2019 during the ongoing Wednesday’s church service, “Divine Encounter” to record the service with her handset which the church members described as mischievous.
One of the eyewitnesses stated that it took the intervention of men of the Nigeria Police from Ijapo police station to restrict the judge from further public fisticuffs at the church after the situation had degenerated into a brawl which led to the injury of an aged member of the church.
“Justice Omoleye Folayemi of the Court of Appeal, Akure, entered The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Glory Tabernacle Parish, Ijapo Estate-Akure which is the Provincial Headquarters of Ondo Province 1 during our mid-week Wednesday Divine Encounter Service between the hours of 10.am – 12.pm and slapped a 68 year-old woman and one of the Pastors who tried to advise her not to disrupt the church service”.
Describing the Judges’ action as strange, Pastor Dele Oyesola who is in charge of the affected church, maintained that the church has been at the location since 1989 when the Ondo state Housing Corporation approved the land for it.
He added that they were already planning to celebrate its 30th Anniversary by August, this year, while the judge was said to have bought the house beside the church about ten years ago.
Also Confirming the incident, Pastor Idris Umar of RCCG Region 22, Ondo said the church had directed its lawyer to write a petition against the judge for what he described as dishonourable action by slapping and beating a 68-year-old Assistant Pastor, Mrs Felicia Akindurojoye and another Parish pastor, Felix Solomon during the Wednesday’s Divine Encounter service.
Pastor Umar said the petition would be forwarded to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to investigate Justice Omoleye’s action.
He also added that the woman had been taken to the State Specialist Hospital for treatment while Pastor Solomon didn’t sustain serious injury.
Effort to get the judge’s reaction was not successful as her gateman said she cannot see anybody on Wednesday’s evening.
Confirming that the report has been lodged at the Ijapo Police Station to that effect, the Police Public Relations Officers, PPRO, Femi Joseph told DAILY POST that investigation has commenced into the matter.
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