The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Agape Area Headquarters, MKO Abiola Estate, Lagos has it roof pulled down in early hours of Wednesday by angry residents.
The roof of the estate’s hall which the church was occupying was removed on orders of the president of the estate residents’ association, Adetokunbo Shittu.
The Redeemed Church and the residents of the area have been fighting over the church’s refusal to vacate the estate hall since 2017.
According to reports by Premium Times, the church has been using the hall since 1999 when the estate was built. But in 2017, the estate executives issued the church three notices to vacate the property , which was not complied with.
On Wednesday the conflict between the parties became worse after the roof of the estate hall was taken off .
Mrs Shittu, the Estate’ association
chairperson said that the decision was taken in the best interest of the community and its residents.
She said,
“The church has refused to vacate the hall and the estate is in need of the hall, so, we decided to start work on the hall.”
Sesan Oyebode, the pastor of the Redeemed church, in reaction said,
“If you must leave a property by force, it must follow due process. The court must give an injunction, they would get a bailiff and police officers to eject you from the place.”
“Before then, they would inform you to remove your things, it is when you refuse that the police can put your things outside, that is the legal way,” Mr Oyebode said, in a telephone conversation.
Mr Oyebode added it is improper for the president of such “a high-profile estate” to order the removal of the roof without following due process.
Peak News 