Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed Cherubim and Seraphim King of Kings Church at 24, Georgius Cole Street, Ifako-Ijaye, for noise pollution.

In a statement on Thursday, the closure was issued on the directive of the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, after the church had violated all the treaties and peace agreements in the 2017 and 2023 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), signed by the church with the State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to minimise noise during church activities in the neighbourhood.

Tokunbo warned religious organisations, entertainment, and hospitality businesses to comply with the state regulations on noise and other environmental pollution, while respecting the right of other individuals to quiet living in their neighbourhood.

LASEPA General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi, who briefed the press after the enforcement activities, explained that Cherubim and Seraphim (King of Kings) Church Ifako Ijaye was not only operating illegally within a residential estate, but also had violated all known peace agreements reached in 2017, 2023, and 2025 to safeguard the health of other residents in the neighbourhood.

Ajayi further explained that in 2017, when residents reported the church for excessive noise during its day and night services, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the church. The MOU included: Ensuring adequate enclosure and soundproofing of the church against noise; that night vigils should be held once a month without the use of musical instruments, until soundproofing is completed; Suspending night vigils at Mercy Land ( Ile-Anu) and restricting all activities within the church auditorium; limiting the use of musical instruments to Sunday services only until the church structure is soundproofed; Maintaining the permissible noise level at 55 db during the day and 45 db at night; and maintaining good neighbourliness with the surrounding community.

The General Manager noted that the same complaint was reported against the Church in October 2023, when the Church failed to comply with the treaties and MOU it had signed in 2017.

Ajayi noted that despite repeated sensitisation programmes and warnings to worship centres and hospitality businesses across the state, some organisations and churches have refused to adhere to the approved standard noise limit in their communities.

He warned that although there is freedom of worship in the state, no individual or association is allowed to infringe on the fundamental rights of others or negatively impact the health of neighbours in the name of religious activities.

The General Manager stated that the state government would have no option but to shut down and prosecute any organisation that violates the State Environmental Law 2018, as amended.

Ajayi urged residents and business owners to comply with government regulations, reaffirming the agency’s zero-tolerance policy for noise and other forms of pollution across Lagos State.