The leadership tussle in the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has intensified following a Lagos High Court judgment in favour of Most Elder Apostle Adebayo Abiola claiming the headship of the church.
According to DailySun, the Church leadership has stated categorically that His Most Eminence, Prophet (Dr.) Solomon Adegboyega Alao remains the Supreme Head (Olori) of the church.
This is in conflict with the judgement gotten by Most Elder Apostle Adebayo Abiola from court appointing him as the head of the church.
A press statement signed by the Secretary General of the Church, Apostle (Dr.) Tunde Ogunkunle, stated that the clarification became necessary because of surreptitious moves by some people to cause disaffection among the faithful without waiting for the conclusion of the legal processes.
He said it was known to all that a State High Court is not the final arbiter in any dispute, and that the Notice of Appeal filed on behalf of the church by its Solicitors, Messrs Wale Taiwo and Co, has since been served on all parties.
The appeal notice, Ogunkunle said, clearly spelt out eight weighty grounds why the judgment delivered by the Hon. Justice L. B. Lawal-Akapo on March 23, 2017 should be set aside by the Court of Appeal. There is also pending before the Court a Motion to Stay the Execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
Ogunkunle said, “We are known to be a law-abiding church and will not do anything to cast aspersion on the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary but that the judgment was not only totally erroneous but also ridiculous, and that is the main reason for the appeal.
“We also believe that once an appeal has been filed and application made to Court to suspend the execution of the judgment; and all parties thereto served, status quo remains. That is, Baba Alao remains the Supreme Head of the church until the final determination of the application and the appeal process.
“Again, the Ecclesiastical Council of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, at its emergency meeting held on March 27, 2017, affirmed its support and loyalty to the leadership of Solomon Adegboyega Alao as the Supreme Head of the church.
“We can only appeal to Elder Abiola to wait for the conclusion of the legal process and stop parading himself as the Head of the church, causing confusion and disharmony within the church while the legal process is on-going.
“We also appeal to all the C & S members worldwide not to be disturbed by the temporary set-back occasioned by the needless legal action, but should remain steadfast and continue to worship God in truth and spirit until the truth finally prevails,” the statement said.
The Church also said it would continue to update its teeming members on the progress made in this regard.
