Warri Court Orders Prophet to Rebuild Demolished Shrine, Pay ₦205m in Damages

A Federal High Court sitting in Warri has awarded a total of ₦205 million in damages against Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan and members of the Greatgod Holy Tabernacle for the destruction of an Egbesu shrine in Ojobo, Delta State.

The court also ordered the defendants to rebuild the shrine and publish public apologies in two national newspapers.

The suit followed the demolition of the Osuopele Benesede Opu-Oru Temple on December 20, 2024, when Prophet Owan and members of his church allegedly stormed the traditional worship centre and destroyed the shrine and historical artefacts, claiming they were combating evil spirits. The incident was reported to the Izon Cultural Heritage Council (ICHC), which initiated legal action.

In its judgment delivered on June 29, 2026, the court declared that the actions of the defendants were discriminatory, unconstitutional, wrongful, and a violation of the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and worship as guaranteed under Sections 10 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court restrained the defendants from further harassing or intimidating the worshippers and ordered them to remain at least 10 kilometres away from members of the Osuopele Benesede Opu-Oru Temple. It also directed them to rebuild the destroyed shrine in Ojobo.

In addition, the court awarded ₦100 million as exemplary damages, ₦100 million as general damages, and ₦5 million as the cost of the suit, bringing the total award to ₦205 million.

The defendants were further ordered to publish public apologies in two national daily newspapers.

Reacting to the judgment, ICHC spokesperson Odede Precious described the ruling as a landmark victory for traditional worshippers and a correction of a longstanding injustice.

He urged the defendants to comply fully with the court’s orders and warned against the harassment or persecution of adherents of traditional religions.