Outrage as Appeal Court Judge Slaps 68-year-old Woman, RCCG Pastor for noise pollution

An Nigerian Appeal Court judge shocked many on Wednesday in Ondo state when she stormed the Glory Tabernacles parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ijapo in Akure and landed a heavy slap on a 68-year-old pastor.

According to eyewitnesses, Justice Omoleye had stormed the church around 10:00am, interrupting the midweek Wednesday’s Divine Encounter service of the church and “slapped a 68yr old woman and one of the Pastors who tried to advise her not to disrupt the church service”.

According to multiple reports, Hon Justice Omoleye Folayemi of the Court of Appeal, Akure lives besides the church and had complained severally about the level of noise coming from the church. That Wednesday, it became unbearable for her to handle, so she went out and did something drastic about the incessant noise pollution.

Members of the church revealed that the judge whose private residence is located beside the church, has been having a running battle with the RCCG, claiming that prayers and noise from the church members usually disturbed her. They also said that the church has been located at the place since 1989 when the State Housing Corporation approved the land for it. While the judge, on the other hand, had bought the house beside the church about ten years ago.

The church was said to be planning to celebrate its 30th Anniversary by August, this year before this incident happened.

Eyewitnesses said it took the intervention of men of the Nigeria Police from Ijapo police station to stop the judge from further public fisticuffs at the church.

Confirming the attack, the Assistant Pastor Olatunde Awoyelu and Pastor Dele Oyesola in-charge of the affected church, confirmed the incident and described the judge’s action as strange and dishonourable to a very senior legal officer.

Also, the Pastor in Charge of the Region 22 comprising Ondo and Ekiti State, Pastor Idris Umar said the church had directed its lawyer to write a petition to be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and punish Justice Omoleye for her dishonourable action of slapping and beating a 68year-old Assistant Pastor, Mrs Felicia Akindurojoye and another Parish pastor Felix Solomon during the Wednesday’s Divine Encounter service.

He said the woman was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital for treatment over the injury received while Solomon did not sustain serious injury.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph said investigation has begun into the matter. He added that the DPO in charge of Ijapo Police Station has been directed by the Commissioner of Police to interrogate all the parties to the dispute.