On Tuesday, the Lagos State Government brought one Olusola Shedrach before the State High Court in Ikeja. He is accused of taking over and damaging a property owned by Harvesters Church along the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway without permission.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi heard the case against the defendant, who was charged with three counts: forceful takeover, malicious damage, and behavior that could lead to a breach of peace.
Olufunmilayo Aluko, the state prosecutor, told the court at the start of the proceedings that the prosecution was ready and asked that the charges be read to the defendant so he could enter a plea.
She said, “My Lord, we are ready for the defendant’s arraignment and ask that the charges be read to him so he can enter his plea.”
The court agreed to the request, and the charges were then read in public.
The prosecution says that Shedrach took control of the church’s property by force and broke things inside the building. There were also claims that he acted in a way that could have disturbed the peace of the public.
Aluko also told the court that the crimes in question break Section 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016, and Sections 350 and 168(d) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
The defendant, on the other hand, said he was not guilty of any of the charges.
After the plea, defense attorney Mr. O. Odueso asked for a short break so that the defense could file and argue its bail application.
He said, “My Lord, we respectfully ask for a short date so that we can file and move our bail application.”
The prosecution did not say no to the request.
Justice Oshodi put off the bail hearing until April 22, 2026, and set the start of the trial for June 17, 2026.
The judge said, “This case is now on hold until April 22, 2026, when the bail application will be heard, and June 17, 2026, when the trial will begin.”
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