A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has adjourned a suit on right ownership of the Christ Apostolic Church till February 2025 for mention.
The suit which came up for hearing on Monday was filed by the Incorporated Trustee of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Nigeria.
The 1st to 6th defendants in the suit are Incorporated Trustees of Christ Apostolic Church Supreme Executive Worldwide, Pastor Henry Ojo, Pastor James Onagwa, Pastor Ejide Aladesaye, Pastor R.A. Kolawole and Corporate Affairs Commission.
Counsel to the plaintiff, A.A. Akanbi Esq., represented by Abiodun Ayodele, prayed for a date subject to the overriding convenience of the court.
He noted that the case was coming up for the first time, adding that the defendants were still within their rights to respond.
The plaintiff in its writ of summons is seeking a declaration that the 1st defendant church is a different body from and is not an extension of, a ministry under or any other body which is an appendage of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria.
The plaintiff is also seeking: “A declaration that the 2nd- 5th defendants can no longer continue to parade themselves as leaders of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria after having registered the 1st defendant in which they are trustees.
“A declaration that all properties acquired, owned, and /or held in the names of the plaintiff remain the bonafide properties of the plaintiff.
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“A declaration that all properties acquired for and on behalf of the plaintiff or through the use of funds belonging to the plaintiff whether held in its name or not are the bonafide properties of the plaintiff.
“A declaration that the registration by 6th defendant of 1st defendant notwithstanding that the said name is linked to the plaintiff and had gained so much fame and/or publicity both locally and internationally as associated with plaintiff is an improper exercise of 6th defendant’s discretion and wrongful.”
The plaintiff is also seeking an order that the 1st-5th defendants, assigns, privies, or all such persons acting on behalf of or in solidarity with the 1st- 5th defendants or who have ceased to be members of the plaintiff surrender items of worship used by members of the plaintiff and yield possession of all the properties of the plaintiff including the property at Atanda village, Ibadan-Ife Expressway, Osengere, Ibadan, Oyo.
It is also seeking “an order restraining the 1st-5th defendants from continuing to demand or collect any monies, whether as tithes, offerings or any other donations, from members of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria, and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd-5th defendants, whether by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies, from further parading themselves either as President, General Superintendent, General Secretary, General Evangelist or as a leader howsoever called, of the plaintiff.”
Justice U.N. Agomoh has adjourned the suit till February 2025 for mentioning.
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