Mr. Olalekan Ojo, who is representing the Synagogue Church of all Nations at the on going hearing to ascertain the reasons for the collapse of a building which claimed 116 lives, informed the church that T.B Joshua did not appear before the court yesterday because he was not served any summon. He said the bailiff could not get hold of Joshua because being the chief mourner, he has been going around visiting and sympathising with those who lost loved ones in the collapse.
He told the court, “May I with respect inform this court that as at today no summons to appear before this honourable court has been personally served on Prophet T.B. Joshua. “I do not want a situation where this court might be misled to believe that a witness summons has been served on the prophet. Monday was the first time that the bailiff of the court attempted to effect service on Prophet T.B. Joshua but unfortunately the prophet was not around.
In response, Magistrate O.O. Komolafe said he found it difficult to believe that the court could not lay hold of Joshua to serve him the summons. He then asked the lawyer to accept the summon on his client's behalf. But the defending lawyer, said he was not allowed by law to do such a thing.
Komolafe then warned that Joshua must make himself available to receive the summons.
He said ''As a man of God and a leader he should respect the law of the land and lead by example. “I have done the needful, but a word is enough for the wise. Personally, the court would not want to inflict more pains on the prophet, being the chief mourner, but he too should help the court by not putting himself at variance with the law.”
He charged the chief security officer of the church to ensure that the bailiff was taken to Joshua’s office the next time he visited the church.
“When next the man is there, I don’t want to hear stories, you have to take him there. When is he going to preach in your church? I will ask the DPO at Ikotun to lay a siege on your church. Tell your prophet we are not prosecuting him,”
T.B. was then given another chance to appear before the court on Thursday (today).
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