Pastors are expected to be blameless..., sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, no striker...., but such is not the report we get of one Pastor Flourish Peters of House On The Rock, Lekki, Lagos. Based on reports and some evidence provided to Famzn News, one Pastor Flourish based in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lekki employed the use of thugs to threaten the life of one Mr. Jerry, who used to be his friend. Should we still refer to him as Pastor? Well, nowadays, it's just a title for anyone who can mount the pulpit and 'raise' his voice to a congregation. So, let us retain his title...
Pastor Flourish who was reportedly dumped by his girlfriend, gospel artiste Chee, is said to be handling the New Converts section of the Church. I actually cannot tell how he does that with his lifestyle.
Famzn News gathered that sometime last year (2016), Mr. Jerry approached Pastor Flourish. He informed the pastor that he was searching for a place to rent.
The so-called pastor said he could let out his Boys Quarters (BQ). He then asked Mr. Jerry how much he had, and he said he had only N150,000. Flourish then stated that that amount could only cover 6 months rent. They agreed and Mr. Jerry moved in.
Towards the end of the 6 months, Pastor Flourish informed Mr. Jerry that he could no longer let the BQ out bi-annually, he wanted a yearly payment. Mr. Jerry agreed but said he couldn't make the full payment at once.
The first instalment was made between September and December. In December last year (2016), Mr Jerry got a reminder from the pastor via a text to make his second instalment at the beginning of January. Mr. Jerry, however, had a little money problem and was late on payments.
So, in February this year, Pastor Flourish asked the security guard to lock out his tenant. Thus, Mr. Jerry couldn't gain access to his Boys Quarters for a couple of days. Pastor Flourish went further to ask his brother, Fome Peters who happens to be Cobhams Asuquo's band leader, to forcefully eject him by throwing out his properties. Mr. Jerry then had to hire a lawyer.
For those not familiar with tenancy law, landlords must follow eviction procedures set forth by law. If your landlord may try to evict you by taking matters into his own hands -- for example, by locking you out, cancelling your utilities, or even removing your doors, windows, or possession; these types of "self-help" remedies are illegal. No matter how strong a landlord's case may be for ending a tenancy, a landlord doesn't have the right to take, or even threaten, any self-help actions against you.
After Mr. Jerry gained access to his Boys Quarters in March, Pastor Flourish wasn't pleased, so he went to the Boys Quarters with thugs holding all sorts of weapons. Following the Pastor's action, Mr. Jerry filed a petition for threat to life against the pastor and his brother, Fome at the Police Station. There was later peace for about two weeks.
Meanwhile, Pastor Flourish started telling neighbours in that area and everybody who cared to listen that Mr. Jerry wasn't his tenant. He claimed he was just a good Samaritan helping out a friend in need. That is what he also told the Police. However, Mr. Jerry had proof of his previous payments made to Pastor Flourish and a text message sent by the pastor asking for payment.
Bank Statement
The text message sent by Pastor Flourish to Mr. Jerry
A copy of teller of another payment
About two weeks ago, a neighbour who shares electricity from his 20KVA generator with Pastor Flourish's Boys Quarters, turned on his generator. When the pastor was about to leave his Boys Quarters, he asked the security guard to cut off power supply to Mr. Jerry's Boys Quarters. The security guard, we learnt, told Pastor Flourish that Mr. Jerry was still in. He, however, insisted that the guard turns it off. When, Mr. Jerry noticed power supply from the gen to his Boys Quarters has been cut, he went out to find out the cause.
The security guard narrated everything to Mr. Jerry so Mr. Jerry turned it on and told the security guard he could inform his boss.
On getting the news from his security guard, Mr. Flourish drove down in anger to his house. He walked up to Mr. Jerry who was in the compound and shoved him against the wall. Mr. Jerry reacted as a human being would and shoved him back. In a matter of seconds, Pastor Flourish further attacked Mr. Jerry and a fight ensued. When the pastor tried lifting Mr. Jerry so he could land him on his back to the floor and couldn't succeed, in his frustration, he bit Mr. Jerry.
Famzn News was shown some pictures showing bite marks on Mr. Jerry's body.
What is your take on this? Was Pastor Flourish in the 'right'?
Mr. Jerry revealed to Famzn News (famzn.com) that he has written to House On The Rock. He, however, doesn't think any step had been taken by the Church leaders.