The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos was the center of attention today (31st of January 2024) as the legal battle challenging the dissolution of the registered Board of Trustees unfolded. This suit, which aims to determine whether the Pastor possesses the legal and constitutional authority to dissolve a registered Board under Nigeria’s sovereign law, has been under the Court’s scrutiny. The key question at hand is whether the Pastor’s actions align with the provisions of the relevant agencies which monitor corporate organization in Nigeria, while close associates to the Pastor as maintain the Pastor action on Section 108 of the Church Constitution.
In a recent development, the Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has issued an order to transfer Justice Peter Iifu to the Abuja Division in accordance with the provisions of the Federal High Court Act.
In response to the matter currently before the court, Justice Peter Iifu has requested legal permission from the Chief Judge to conclude the legal dispute between the registered Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Pastor. This request is made in anticipation before the final relocation of Judge Peter Iifu to Abuja, while Justice Iifu has assured both parties that he will communicate further details in due course.
During today’s court proceedings, it was noted that the lead counsel to the Pastor, who had also been appointed as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees following the dissolution of the registered BOT was absent. In his absence, Barrister Akinyele Sanyaolu graciously stood in for the Pastor’s team, while the legal counsel of the BOT concurred with Justice Iifu’s request to the Chief Judge of the Federation.
