A resident of Iseyin, Oyo State, Mr. Sulaimon AbdulAzeez has pleaded for justice following the assault meted on him, his veiled wives and other family members on Eid ul adha day by soldiers hired by a pastor-neighbour.
Speaking with journalists, Mr. Sulaimon lamented the impunity which Pastor Busari Stephen who heads the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin, enjoys despite the ongoing suffering inflicted on his family.
He added that the Pastor who heads the church opposite his house, had involved his son, a soldier named Damilola Stephen (aka recruit soldier) who led 17 other soldiers to unleash havoc on them for allegedly slaughtering ram while facing their church.
However, Busari and Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin was sanctioned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after bloody attacks which resulted in the hospitalisation of the man and his household.
Busari’s church was some 20 meters away from the house of Sulaiman even with a road separating them both.
According to Sulaimon, he was severely beaten and wounded by soldiers hired by Busari, his pregnant wife was severely beaten and dragged to the church premise by the pastor while his other wife’s head was smashed. He added that his son was taken away by the soldiers while his mother and wife’s brother were also beaten.The old mother of Sulaiman was reported manhandled by one of the soldiers while another soldier slit open, with a knife, the palms of Daud Abdulazeez, a brother to Sulaiman.
While Apostle Sunday Ogundairo, CAN Chairman in Iseyin Local Government assured that the pastor has been sanctioned by CAN and his church activities ordered to be evacuated from the premises, Sulaimon bemoaned the improper handling of the reported case.
He said, “The town authorities have taken over the case, they want to ensure peace. We are still receiving treatment and I want peace too. I do not want the case to escalate yet, I want justice. The pastor came to evacuate his properties from the church two days ago. No church activity occurred here on Sunday but he is going about his business as usual. We reported the case at Iseyin Divisional Police headquarters. He has since been released by the police. My lawyer petitioned the IG, copied the High court and the Civil Defense. I have heard nothing from the police. Only the Civil Defense people called me.
“The police has always denied me my rights since the inception of the case with Pastor Busari. Sometimes in December, his soldier-son came to assault me in this house. It was in the midnight and I made a report to the police but he wasn’t arrested and they were silent on the issue. Either Christian or Muslim, all rights ought to be protected under the law, but the police have not been fair to me.”
According to reports, the crisis resulted from a series of misunderstandings which had taken place between Sulaimon Abdulazeez and Pastor Busari over the noise that usually come from the latter’s church in their usual late-night vigils.
The matter was reportedly looked into by the Aseyin of Iseyin who ruled that Pastor Busari should abate the noise pollution coming from his church by any means possible.
Sulaimon added that the Aseyin suggested the use of sound acoustics to prevent noise pollution but Busari claimed that he could not afford it.
When contacted Pastor Busari but he refused to comment on the issue saying that his lawyer had instructed him not to say anything as the case was going to court. He simply said, “Did they say that I was the one who invited the soldiers? Anyways, I have nothing to say, my lawyer has told me to say nothing, the case is in court.”
However, the lawyer to Sulaimon, Barr. Abdulwaheed A Olowonjaye during a chat with Daily Trust expressed optimism that the police authority would treat the matter promptly and expedite investigation so that justice can be delivered.
“ It is left to the police to act fast, we have done all necessary documentation and reporting. On the other hand, we have information that there are moves to charge the pastor with lesser offenses, so that he could get away with the crime. I as the legal counsel to the assaulted family, and the complainants are not aware and we expect the institution of criminal prosecution against all the parties involved in the attack. We want the police to file this case as earliest as possible because justice delayed is justice denied. To achieve this, we are following up with the matter and hopeful that something meaningful will come out of it during the week.” He said.
Meanwhile, Oyo State branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged the security operatives to arrest the suspects without further delay. The Islamic human rights organization called for the arrest and prosecution of and warned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.
Ambassador, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade who chairs MURIC, Oyo State noted that Busari’s son was earlier reported to the police by the community for noise pollution and environmental disturbance.
Similarly, the Ameer of Organisation of Tadhamunil Muslimeen (OTM), Oyo State Chapter, Ustādh Kamaludeen Udhayfah, has described the inhumane action of the Iseyin Pastor as callous and homicide attempt against civil Muslim family. The Amir called on the constituted authorities to carry out thorough investigation on the matter and if the pastor is found culpable, he should face the wrath of law so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
A source who craved anonymity claimed that Damilola Stephen with the army registration number 23NA/85/11522, has absconded to Abuja. He also revealed a few of the names of the other soldiers as Ogunwale Olayemi Samuel, Olusesi Blessing, and Azeez Taofeeq.
Apostle Ogundairo, CAN chairman, Iseyin Local Government, assured that he has gone round pleading with the Islamic scholars in Iseyinland. He added that it was glaring that the pastor was guilty.
He said, “This evening I was with the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, He embraced and prayed for me. He said that the case would be settled and he would update me in developments.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, via an SMS reply assured that investigation was ongoing.
Source: Daily Trust