Church Crisis: ‘Men Of God’ Assault Vanguard Photo Journalist In Court

No fewer than 10 pastors  from one of the two factions of the crisis-ridden Christ Apostolic Church have thrown their pastoral callings to the wind and assaulted Vanguard Newspapers’ Assistant Photo Editor,  Mr. Dare Fasube in the premises of the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

Fasube, who alongside others, were at the court when the incident, happened, is still recovering from the trauma of the assault which took place last week Thursday.

The church has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis for over two decades and the crisis has created two factions in the church. They are the General Executive Council and Supreme Council with each faction claiming ownership of the church.

The Supreme Council had dragged the other faction to court over alleged forgery of some church documents.

After being docked, the former General Secretary of a faction, Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh,  and Akeem Mohammed, former Director of Corporate Affairs Commission were coming out of the court room when Mr. Fasube was trying to take their photographs. About 10 men who accompanied them to court descended on Fasube, asking why he wanted to take their pictures.

While trying to focus his lens properly to get the shot of the former director who was trying to cover his face and turn away from the camera, other “men of God” asked him why he was running away and he told them that the journalist wanted to take his picture.

The men jumped at Fasube and manhandled him even as his colleagues told them that he was a journalist and was only doing his legitimate business.

All entreaties to the “men of God” who reportedly came from Lagos fell on deaf ears, until the commotion attracted court officials who intervened.