Professor Joseph Otubu, son of former late Baba Aladura, Humphrey Otubu, has challenged his suspension from the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) Church at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Joined in the suit are the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS), the Baba Aladura, Elder Lazarus Onyeleonu and Chairman of Abuja province of the Church, Senior Apostle Michael Osamor
Erstwhile Chairman of Abuja Province, Professor Joseph Otubu was suspended from the church last year after he allegedly violated ESOCS rules, created confusion and conflict of interest by insisting on holding on to his former position of head of the church in Abuja and accepting his elevation to CMC 4 to superintend all ESOCS churches in Northern Nigeria.
In the originating summons filed in court, the former chairman contended that he was unilaterally removed from office by the Baba Aladura and prayed the court to set aside his dismissal, expulsion and removal from office as Chairman of Abuja Province of the Church, being a member of both the Advisory Board and of the church itself.
He further contended that the ESOCS constitution with which his late father administered the church for 18 years before the incumbent Baba Aladura took over is at variance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C20 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and 36 of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also said he was not given fair hearing before his removal from the Advisory Board of the church even though he was told a year earlier about his elevation to CMC 4, which he refused.
He claimed, again, that in 2002, he was appointed by the church to the office of Chairman of the Abuja Province and that as the chairman, he worked hard to raise huge sums of money from friends, associates and relatives to build the Cathedral.
But in a preliminary objection, the church asked the court to dismiss the suit because Otubu has no locus standi since the wrongs complained of can only be remedied pursuant to Section 46 of the constitution and in accordance with the provisions of the Enforcement of Human Rights Provisions in chapter IV of the Constitution and not by originating summons.
The church stated that the building of the church was made possible by members and non-members of the church, and the only credit the plaintiff can claim is that the said church was built “in his watch.”
The matter, which was only mentioned on Tuesday, has been adjourned to March 21 by presiding judge, Justice Gladys Olotu, for hearing.
