Legal Battle in Asaba: Pastor Charged for Assaulting Tenant
Incident Summary
A pastor in Asaba—identified as Pastor Sunday Ogbogho of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)—has been arraigned for allegedly assaulting his tenant, Kenneth Orusi. The assault reportedly involved a wheel spanner, resulting in head injuries for the journalist-tenant.
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- Date and Location: The incident occurred on July 27, 2025, at No. 5 Elder Ediale Street, off Ibusa Road in Asaba.
- Legal Proceeding: The charge—filed under Section 355 of the Criminal Code (assault occasioning harm)—was brought before Magistrate Court 4 in Asaba. The pastor pleaded not guilty, and the court granted bail at ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum.
Other Related Disputes Involving Pastor Ogbogho
This incident is part of a broader legal friction between Pastor Ogbogho and his tenant, Kenneth Orusi:
- Tenancy Dispute
Pastor Ogbogho initiated eviction proceedings—claiming the tenant was unlawfully occupying a one-bedroom apartment. The case (Suit No. OSACCIII/17/2025) was delayed multiple times:- First, due to the absence of the presiding judge on February 24, 2025.
- Then, again because neither the pastor nor his counsel appeared at a subsequent hearing. The case was ultimately rescheduled for June 26, 2025.
- Utility Disconnection and Restoration
Amid the tenancy dispute, Pastor Ogbogho allegedly disconnected electricity and water to Orusi’s apartment. After an 11-day public outcry, and following Orusi’s police petition, the utilities were restored on April 4 and April 5, 2025. - Court Dismissal of Civil Suit
On June 26, 2025, a Delta State Customary Court struck out Pastor Ogbogho’s civil suit for eviction due to lack of diligent prosecution—he failed to appear in court, whereas the defendant (Orusi) did.
Summary Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2025 | Tenancy eviction case stalled—judge absent. |
| April 5, 2025 | Utilities (electricity & water) restored to tenant after outcry. |
| June 26, 2025 | Civil suit dismissed for non-appearance by Pastor. |
| July 27, 2025 | Pastor allegedly assaults tenant with wheel spanner. |
| August 13, 2025 | Pastor arraigned; granted bail in criminal case. |
What This Means
- The criminal case for assault is now active and proceeding.
- The tenancy claim has been dismissed, meaning the pastor lost that civil battle.
- The utility disconnection stirred public outrage and may factor into both moral and legal scrutiny.
- Together, these incidents depict escalating legal pressure on Pastor Ogbogho from multiple fronts.
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