The founder of the Living Faith Church, a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel
Bishop David Oyedepo, is not leaving anything to chance in his defence
against the N2 billion suit slammed on him for allegedly slapping a
young female member of his congregation.
The multi-billionaire
pastor has secured the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
Mr. Dele Adesina to defend the matter which was filed by a Lagos-based
lawyer, Robert Igbinedion, in April on behalf of the young
lady.
Igbinedion in the suit sought for the enforcement of the lady’s
fundamental rights to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment,
human dignity, fair hearing, and freedom from discrimination.
He also
prayed the court to award the sum of N2 billion as general and exemplary
damages’ against the bishop as well as compel him to publish a public
apology in two national dailies and one international satellite
television.
Initially, when the matter was filed, two members
of the church, F.B. Agbanwu, the church solicitor and Olugbenga Adeboye,
a senior legal officer in the church, filed a preliminary objection on
behalf of Bishop Oyedepo.
However, at the last adjourned date,
Mr. Dele Adesina in company of other lawyers announced his appearance in
the matter and informed the court that he has taken over the
matter.
Although most of the issues raised in the 32-page prelimary
objection by Dele Adesina (SAN) were similar to those raised by the
first defence team, Mr. Adesina argued that the court is incompetent to
adjudicate on the matter as the case borders on assualt.
He contended
that slap being an act of assault is outside the provisions of chapter
four of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the
African Charter on human and people’s right and as such the court lacks
jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
ìThe cause of action or principal
claim in this application centres merely on slapping one Miss Justice
by the 1st respondent.
The slapping of Miss Justice is an act
that could be described as an assault which is a criminal offence
punishable under the criminal code.
ìWe submit that slapping being an
act of assault, an item outside the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999
Constitution and the African Charter, this court therefore lacks
jurisdiction over same.î
Mr. Adesina also argued that the petitioner has
not shown the court that the said Miss Justice who was allegedly
slapped by Bishop Oyedepo, is a living person.
He maintained
that until Miss Justice is produced in court, the court cannot assume
that she is a living person.
Mr. Adesina further argued that that there
is no record of anyone called Miss Justice – a sobriquet given to the
young lady for the purpose of the suit – in any of its services
organised in the past.
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