• I Was Slapped, Brutalised, Our Properties Destroyed — Pastor Alleges
• I’m The Owner Of The Land, Church Is Trespassing, Fabricating Stories, Says Nwabulor
The last may not have been heard of the contentious piece of land located at No 2, Oba Adeyemi Oyekan Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, as the previous lessors, Holy Trinity Church, Lagos, have vowed to drag the new owner, Nnamdi Nwabulor of Davnotch Properties to court, accusing him of breaking existing lease, theft of church properties, brutalisation and manhandling of their senior pastor, John Delano.
Speaking with The Guardian, Delano said a court of law had previously given a stay order, mandating both parties to maintain status quo till the final judgment later this month. Narrating his ordeal, Delano said the previous owner of the land sold it to Nwabulor whom they promptly informed of their pending lease which expired in December.
According to him, Nwabulor informed the Church to vacate the land despite the running lease, but the Church said it would vacate when the lease expires. He recalled that two days before the meeting, Nwabulor forcefully demolished the church and sent three bank drafts amounting to N25 million into three different accounts of the church.
The Senior Pastor said that the church never asked for the money, but just wanted to use the land till the lease expires, adding that Nwabulor rather brought his men to pull down the Church without notifying the church in advance.
Delano disclosed Nwabulor brought in about 30 men, mostly thugs, and bulldozers around 7:30 am last Wednesday, to pull down the Church and when he tried to record what was happening, one of them snatched his phone and forced him to meet Nwabulor who assaulted him
“Nwabulor slapped me thrice and ordered I should sit on the floor. He showed me bank drafts and letters (which we never received), saying he has been reasonable enough and they began to beat me the more. I agreed with him, so, the beating could stop. I was also asked to delete the pictures and videos I took about their activities in the church premises,” he said.
The cleric noted that he has since reported the matter to the police, but not much has come out of it. He disclosed that the thugs took away four of their laptops, standing ACs, generator and other valuables, adding that after the destruction the church had to hold last Sunday’s service in a nearby hotel.
Giving his version of the story, Nwabulor who spoke with The Guardian in a phone call said Delano’s allegations are mere fabrications and untruth. According to him, the property developer said when he wanted to buy the land that he was informed of the church’s existing lease, which could be broken when the owner decides to sell the land. He also added that the information came with a caveat, which says if the lease is broken before the due time that the Church should be given its lease balance.
“It is stated right there in the lease; I did not break any agreement because when they signed the lease, they promised they would vacate whenever the owner is ready to sell. And part of the terms of agreement was that the former landlord said when he was ready to sell; he will give them the Right of First Refusal.”
Nwabulor said that when the former landlord was ready to sell, he informed the church, but they were not forthcoming and I bought it.
According to him, the former landlord informed them that I have bought the land and also gave them my number to call me for discussions if any.
Nwabulor said the church called and arraigned for a meeting, where they expressed the intention of continual usage of the property, but I refused and gave them notice to vacate the land.
“Their remaining properties are here, I did not steal anything; they can come whenever they are ready for them. I would not stoop so low to steal generators and ACs. I did not beat Delano; how would beating him get me my property? The lease is no longer subsisting; they have been paid in full and should quietly leave the place.
“The notice I gave them expired October 26, 2021, but I allowed them do their Christmas and New Year activities quietly, yet this is how they are repaying me? They have used up six months and an additional six months. Different people and groups, including the Lagos State Governor, Ministry of Lands, the Army, Police, and even different pastors have waded into the matter, but they do not want to leave. I am tired of fighting, but I want them to please leave my property,” he stressed.
