Court Threatens Pastors With Jail Over Land Dispute In Anambra

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nnobi, Idemili South local of Anambra State, presided over by Ken Nwoye, has issued a two-week ultimatum to two pastors to make peace over their land dispute or prepare to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their case.

The Chief Magistrate gave the warning on Friday when the pastors were arraigned before him on charges bordering on threat to life, obstruction to enter land and damage of materials brought against one of the pastors.

The Court also granted the defendant, Pastor Chibuike Sabbath bail, in the sum of N50,000 and ordered the complainant, Pastor Isaac Nwannegbo-Anyamba to take the defendant on bail.

The Chief Magistrate also expressed disappointment that both the complaint and defendant are from the same clan in Awuda village, Nnobi and are both pastors, yet they could afford to indulge each other in land dispute without the ability to resolve it between themselves.

Nwoye also expressed disappointment that the pastors allowed the dispute to linger until it got to the police station and court.

When asked by the Chief Magistrate if he was ready to accept peace overtures from the defendant, the Complaint responded, “In the beginning (of this case) he (defendant) said, ‘No’ but today because we have come to Court he (defendant) has said ‘Yes’, but I am now saying ‘No”.

However, the Chief Magistrate insisted that both the Complaint and Defendant should be ready to settle their dispute out of Court, insisting that as pastors, they should practice what they preach to their parishioners, else he would order them to be remanded in prison custody.

He warned, “If pastors can’t make peace amongst themselves what will their parishioners do?

“I am giving two of you two weeks, if you don’t make peace, I will send two of you to prison and commence hearing on the case. So when you are coming back in two weeks time, both of you should come with your mats because I am sending you to the prison.

“Everyday you will be disturbing people with your preaching of peace but you can’t practice what you preach.

“I am going to grant the Defendant bail, and you (Complainant) must take him on bail. He will not jump bail. If he jumps bail, he will pay the N50,000.

“It is very shameful that you pastors should come to court, but, you will be disturbing us with preaching, and you can’t practice what you are preaching,” Magistrate Nwoye said.

Before adjourning the case to July 18, 2024 for mention, Magistrate Nwoye ordered the Defendant to tender apology to the Complainant in open Court which the latter accepted hesitantly, but both later embraced each other.

“What I do in my Court is to make peace; I am more interested in making peace than delivering Justice. I opt for Justice when effort to make peace fails because peace give permanent healing of grievances, Justice does not,” Nwoye stated further.