The Deeper Life Bible Church has protested the purported demolition of its facilities around Lagos State by government agencies.
In a statement signed on Thursday by its legal counsel, Nojim Tairu & Co., the church accused the agencies of targeting its premises for demolition without due process.
It described the action as unjust and systematic harassment.
The church stated that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Lagos State Building Control Agency, and Surulere Local Government demolished its branches in Yaba, Olorunishola, and Lawanson, respectively.
The statement read, “Deeper Life Bible Church, a longstanding pillar of faith and community service providers with branches in different parts of Lagos State and beyond, strongly condemns the ongoing unjust and unwarranted actions by the Lagos State Government and its agencies, which have systematically targeted some of the church’s properties and locations.
“Over the past months, our church has faced an alarming pattern of hostility from certain state agencies, leading to undue harassment, demolition threats, and unwarranted restrictions placed upon our places of worship and community centres.”
The church claimed that the aggressive efforts breached the faith community’s fundamental rights and established a hazardous precedent that jeopardised religious freedom, property rights, and state justice.
It urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to conduct a quick investigation into the incident, noting that the religious body has always been dedicated to preserving the rule of law and ensuring peace and unity among all communities.
The church also urged individuals, religious groups, human rights advocates, and the international community to support it in the face of what it described as religious tyranny and infringement of property rights.
“As a church dedicated to uplifting society through spiritual guidance, humanitarian efforts, and social empowerment, we will not relent in our commitment to peace, justice, and truth.
“We refuse to be intimidated or silenced by unjust actions.
“We are prepared to pursue all necessary legal avenues to defend our rights and ensure that Deeper Life Bible Church remains a sanctuary of hope and faith for all,” the statement added.
When approached, the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the government had no hostility towards the Deeper Life Church.
He said, “The government of Lagos State, under Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has nothing against Deeper Life. They are our friends, and we are close to them, so we cannot do anything that will jeopardise their interest.
“We all know what LAMATA does. They are the ones in charge of rail lines, and once they demolish a place to accommodate rail lines, they pay compensation.
“I’m aware of the Deeper Life matter, and that was the one demolished by a local government, and that is a local matter.”
Omotoso stated that the incident was being probed by the government and that it was regrettable that it occurred.
“We have a couple of people from the church who made similar complaints, and I took up the matter and asked the SA to the Governor on Religious Matters (Christian) to intervene, and he opened the discussion with them.
“All I can say is that the government has nothing against Deeper Life. Governor Sanwo-Olu has run Lagos without any discrimination whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, this happened, but the government is investigating it,” he said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
