Akwa Ibom State government has dropped charges pressed against Pastor Emmanuel Effiong of Christ Embassy Church, Nung Akpa Ime Branch, off Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo. The church however remains sealed until further notice.
The decision of the state government to drop the charges, according to the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, was premised on the myriad of interventions by well meaning individuals and groups on behalf of the clergyman and his church.
Sir Udoh said those who intervened and pleaded that the charges be dropped vouched for the readiness of the pastor and the Christ Embassy Church to abide by the stipulated AKSG/CAN/NCDC/WHO guidelines and Protocol regarding COVID-19.
In addition, the Commissioner explained that the pastor and the church have tendered apologies to the State government and pledged to always ensure that services in the church comply with stipulated guidelines.
It would be recalled that last Sunday, the team of Akwa Ibom State government and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, visited the Christ Embassy church, Nung Akpa Ime, along State House of Assembly Road, off Nsikak Eduok Avenue to monitor compliance with guidelines for the opening of worship centres in the state.
The team was however, attacked by the pastor and his members, claiming the church was not a member of CAN, and therefore could not be bound by it’s guidelines.
The state government consequently sealed up the premises of the church and got the pastor arrested for prosecution according to the law.
1 comment
Nice try. You guys didn’t have a shread of evidence that’s why.