By Mick Oseji, Asaba
A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has awarded ₦205 million in damages against Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan and members of the Greatgod Holy Tabernacle for the destruction of an Egbesu shrine in Ojobo Community, describing their actions as unconstitutional and a violation of the worshippers’ fundamental rights.
The court also ordered the respondents to rebuild the Osuopele Benesede Opu-Oru Temple, publish public apologies in two national daily newspapers, and refrain from harassing members of the traditional faith.
The judgement followed a suit filed by worshippers of the Osuopele Benesede Temple after Prophet Owan and members of his congregation allegedly invaded the shrine on December 20, 2024, destroying the worship house and historical artefacts under the guise of combating evil spirits.
The incident was reported to the Izon Cultural Heritage Council (ICHC) and the Apostle of the Woyin Temple in Yenagoa, prompting an investigation and subsequent legal action.
In its judgement delivered on June 29, 2026, the court declared that the actions of Prophet Owan and the other respondents amounted to religious discrimination and infringed on the applicants’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and worship as guaranteed under Sections 10 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court ruled that the harassment of the applicant and worshippers of the Osuopele Benesede Opu-Oru Temple was “discriminatory, unconstitutional, wrongful and a violation” of their constitutionally guaranteed rights.
It further restrained the respondents from further harassing or intimidating the applicant and other worshippers and ordered them to maintain a distance of 10 kilometres from members of the traditional religious group.
As part of the judgement, the court directed the respondents to rebuild the shrine they destroyed in Ojobo Community.
The court also awarded ₦100 million as exemplary damages for the unlawful destruction of the temple, ₦100 million as general damages for the destruction of the shrine and the humiliation suffered by the applicant and worshippers, and ₦5 million as the cost of filing the suit, bringing the total award to ₦205 million.
In addition, the court ordered Prophet Owan and the other respondents to publish public apologies in two national newspapers circulating across Nigeria.
Reacting to the judgement, the spokesperson of the Izon Cultural Heritage Council, Odede Precious, described the ruling as “a correction of an age-long injustice.”
According to NigerDeltaInsider, Odede called on the prophet and members of his church to comply fully with the court’s orders, warning against any further intimidation or persecution of adherents of traditional religions.
“The judgement is a victory for religious freedom and the constitutional rights of traditional worshippers. We advise the respondents to obey the court’s directives and call on all Nigerians to respect the rights of others to practise their faith without intimidation,” he said.
