19th December, 2023
By Taiwo Okanlawon
A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday, fixed February 19, 2024, to hear a suit instituted by a former Zonal Pastor of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, Sunday Baruwa Olowoyeye, against the Founder and General Overseer of the denomination, Dr. Daniel Olukoya.
Olowoyeye, in his suit, alleges that the foremost cleric caused the police to detain him for 16 days at the Alagbon Police Station from May 28, 2021, to June 13, 2021. The applicant is demanding the sum of N1 billion in total for their “illegal and oppressive detention.”
The co-respondents in the suit filed on the applicant’s behalf by his legal team led by Adesina Ogunlana, are the Incorporated Trustees of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, a Superintendent of Police, Tawose Ayoleyi of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, and the Nigerian Police Force.
When the case came up, Gbenga Eretan, the lead counsel representing Olukoya, said there was no proof of service from the applicant, and the first defendant only heard the case on social media.
“My Lord, I am only here on the authority of the first respondent because we have not been served. What they are doing is disparaging the church on social media,” Eretan said.
Eretan further argued that the first and second respondents were unaware that the police were after the plaintiff because there was no petition against him from the first and second respondents.
In his response, the counsel to the applicant, Ogunlana, maintained that he had served the defence with the suit; he also said since the counsel to the respondent is in court, it shows they are aware.
“Nothing was disparaging about speaking to the pressmen. We only announced the allegations.
“Also, as of yesterday, the third respondent, who is a police officer called the applicant’s father and threatened to deal with his son for taking Olukoya to court. My client was in fear but I urged him to be calmed and not run away, I am glad that their representative is in court today,” Ogunlana to the court.
Hon. Justice Dorcas Taiwo Olatokun, in his ruling, ordered that no party should speak on the matter on social media pending the determination of the case. She also directed the counsel to the applicant to file another affidavit of service in order to serve the defendants properly.
She also ordered the third and fourth respondents not to arrest, intimidate or harass the complainant with respect to the matter.
Justice Olatokun subsequently adjourned the case till February 19th for its hearing.