Nnewi Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the closure of a church in Nnewi, Anambra State, over noise pollution.
Director of Environmental Health Services, Nnewi, and the Nnewi North Local Government Area for public nuisance had instituted the charge.
They filed two-count charges against the church under the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, accusing it of mounting an amplifier and five loudspeakers in front of its premises and tuning same at a higher pitch, leading to noise pollution in the neighbourhood.
The alleged offence, the prosecution said, was contrary to Section 21 of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State 2006.
The prosecution also accused the church of failing to comply with the terms and requisition of abatement notice referenced No: 00000896 served on it.
This, it said, was punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
The witnesses presented by the prosecution told the court that the church’s activities, even during its vigils, disturbed the community’s peace.
However, President-General of the community, who appeared as a witness for the defendant, disproved the claim of the prosecution.
The judge, A.C. Emekwue, ruling on the matter, ordered the complainants to seal off the church.
The court also directed the church’s administrators to relocate the church within 10 days or face one year in prison without option of a fine.
