Man faces trial over dispute on Lagos church land

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday arraigned one Olusola Shedrach before the State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged forceful takeover and damage of a landed property belonging to Harvesters Church along the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a three-count charge bordering on forceful takeover, wilful damage, and breach of peace, preferred against him by the state.

When the charge was called, the state prosecutor, Olufunmilayo Aluko, urged the court to take the defendant’s plea.

“My Lord, we are ready for the arraignment of the defendant and pray that the charges be read to him so that he can take his plea,” she said.

The court granted the application, and the charges were subsequently read to the defendant.

Aluko told the court that Shedrach allegedly forcefully took over the church’s property and was also accused of wilful property damage.

The defendant was further accused of conducting himself in a manner capable of causing a breach of peace.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016; Section 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, for allegedly destroying items on the premises; and Section 168(d) of the same law, with the state alleging that the defendant conducted himself in a manner capable of causing disturbance on the property.

Shedrach, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Mr O. Odueso, requested a short adjournment to enable the defence to move its bail application.

“My Lord, we respectfully seek a short date to allow us to file and move our bail application,” Odueso said.

Responding, the prosecutor did not oppose the request for an adjournment.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to April 22 for the hearing of the bail application and fixed June 17, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.

“This matter is hereby adjourned to April 22, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and June 17, 2026, for trial,” the judge held.