A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan, founder of GreatGod Holy Tabernacle, and members of his congregation to pay ₦200 million in damages for the unlawful destruction of a traditional Egbesu shrine.
The court also issued a rare mandatory injunction directing the cleric and his co-respondents to rebuild the traditional place of worship they destroyed.
In its judgment, the court found that Prophet Owan and members of his congregation acted unlawfully when they destroyed the shrine. The court described their actions as unconstitutional, discriminatory, and a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The suit arose from an incident that occurred on December 20, 2024, in Ojobo Community, Delta State.
The landmark judgment reinforces the constitutional protection of religious freedom and strongly condemns acts of religious intolerance.
According to court records, Prophet Owan, accompanied by members of his congregation, allegedly invaded the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple, a historic place of worship dedicated to the Egbesu deity.
The respondents reportedly carried out the attack under the pretext of “combating evil spirits.” The invasion resulted in extensive structural damage to the temple and the destruction of invaluable historical, religious, and cultural artefacts regarded as irreplaceable by the worshipping community.
Delivering judgment on June 29, 2026, the court firmly rejected any notion of religious superiority or self-help as justification for destroying another faith’s place of worship. The judge held that the harassment of the traditional worshippers and the destruction of their shrine amounted to religious discrimination and violated Sections 10 and 38 of the Constitution, which guarantee the secular character of the Nigerian state and protect every citizen’s right to freedom of religion and worship.
“The actions of the respondents were not only malicious but constituted a direct assault on the constitutional framework that guarantees every Nigerian the right to practise their faith without fear of persecution, intimidation, or ridicule,” the court held.
In its final orders, the court imposed a comprehensive package of remedies and sanctions on Prophet Owan and his co-respondents, including:
Restitution of the Worship Centre: The respondents were ordered to completely rebuild the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple, which was destroyed during the December 2024 attack in Ojobo Community.
Exemplary Damages: The court awarded ₦100 million against the respondents for the unlawful and malicious destruction of the temple, its sacred objects, and religious symbols.
General Damages: An additional ₦100 million was awarded as compensation for the violation of the applicants’ constitutional rights and for the “untold ridicule, emotional trauma, and humiliation” suffered by members of the Egbesu faith.
Cost of Litigation: The respondents were further ordered to jointly pay ₦5 million to cover the legal and filing expenses incurred by the applicants.
To safeguard the worshippers from further harassment, the court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining Prophet Owan, his agents, servants, privies, and members of his congregation from interfering with the applicants’ right to practise their religion. As part of the order, the respondents were directed to remain at least 10 kilometres away from the temple and its worshippers.
In addition, the court ordered the respondents to publish an unreserved public apology in two national daily newspapers with nationwide circulation, acknowledging the wrongful destruction of the shrine and the violation of the applicants’ constitutional rights.
The judgment is expected to serve as a significant judicial precedent on the protection of religious freedom, the constitutional rights of adherents of traditional African religions, and the limits of religious evangelism where it infringes upon the rights and freedoms of others.
