Admin I Saturday, July 04, 2026
WARRI — In a landmark judgment addressing religious intolerance and constitutional rights, a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered a Christian cleric to pay ₦200 million in damages for the unlawful destruction of a traditional Egbesu shrine.
The presiding judge condemned the actions of Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan—founder of the GreatGod Holy Tabernacle—and his congregants, characterizing their conduct as “unconstitutional” and a flagrant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
In addition to the severe financial penalties, the court issued a rare mandatory injunction compelling the prophet and his co-respondents to physically rebuild the traditional place of worship they decimated.
The high-profile legal battle stems from an incident on December 20, 2024, in the Ojobo Community of Delta State. According to court records, Prophet Owan, accompanied by members of his congregation, invaded the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple—a historic worship center dedicated to the Egbesu deity.
The invasion, which the respondents allegedly orchestrated under the pretext of “combating evil spirits,” resulted in extensive structural damage to the temple and the total destruction of irreplaceable historical and cultural artifacts.
Delivering the judgment on June 29, 2026, the court firmly rebuked the notions of religious supremacy that drove the assault. The presiding judge declared that the harassment of the traditional worshippers was overtly discriminatory and violated Sections 10 and 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantee state neutrality in religion and the right to freedom of worship.
“The actions of the respondents were not only malicious but a direct assault on the constitutional framework that guarantees every Nigerian the right to practice their faith without fear of persecution or ridicule,” the court stated.
To ensure full accountability, the court handed down a comprehensive set of penalties against the cleric and his followers:
Restitution of Worship Space: The respondents are ordered to completely rebuild the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple destroyed during their December 2024 raid in the Ojobo Community.
Exemplary Damages: The court awarded ₦100 million against the respondents for the unlawful and malicious destruction of the temple and its deities.
General Damages: An additional ₦100 million was awarded to the applicants as compensation for the gross violation of their constitutional rights and the “untold ridicule and humiliation” suffered by the Egbesu believers.
Litigation Costs: The respondents must jointly pay ₦5 million to cover the legal and filing costs incurred by the applicants.
To ensure the future safety and peace of the traditional worshippers, the court slammed a restrictive injunction ordering Prophet Owan and his followers to maintain a strict 10-kilometer distance away from the temple and its practitioners.
Furthermore, the court mandated the respondents to publish a formal public apology in two national daily newspapers circulating across Nigeria, effectively signaling a stern warning against religious overreach and vigilante fanaticism in the country.
