Leaders of the Assemblies of God Church are of the opinion that the Supreme Court will deliver a fair judgment in the appeal filed by the suspended General Superintendent of the church, Rev. Paul Emeka, come February 24.
The General Council of the church had, on March 6, 2014, suspended Emeka for allegedly violating the laws of the church.
A panel of justices of the apex court has fixed February 24, 2017, to deliver judgment in an appeal filed by Emeka over the development.
However, in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the leaders of the church said their attention had been drawn to insinuations that the Supreme Court would rule in Emeka’s favour.
As stated by Punch, the religious leaders said they had received information that Emeka’s alleged close relationship with one of the justices on the Supreme Court panel would swing the verdict in his favour.
In the joint statement by the church’s General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor; Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Ejikeme Ejim; General Secretary, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh; and General Treasurer, Rev. Vincent Alaje, the leaders said they had “absolute confidence” in the judiciary.
They urged members of the church and the general public to discountece the “rumour,” which was said to have emanated from Emeka’s camp.
The statement read in part, “We are calling on all our church members to remain calm and prayerful in the midst of any form of rumour and provocation.
“We are aware of the rumour being peddled around by our detractors, but we ask our members to dismiss it as it would not have any effect on the judgment.
“It has been said in several quarters that those fighting the church of God have already asked their followers to be celebrating ahead of the February 24, 2017 judgment of the Supreme Court, but the church remains unshakeable in its trust in the judiciary and the Almighty God.”
The church leadership also welcomed any move to settle the matter amicably.
“The Assemblies of God Church has her arms wide open for any peace move, but we are yet to see any such genuine move from Paul Emeka or anybody else. Anytime he comes through the appropriate channel, we are ready to hear what he has to say,” the statement added.
Efforts to get Emeka’s reaction were not successful as of the time of filing this report.