Harvesters International Pastors Risk Jail Over Gbagada Land Contempt

Contempt proceedings have been filed against pastors of Harvesters International Christian Centre for allegedly disobeying a subsisting order of the High Court of Lagos State regarding a disputed parcel of land at Gbagada Industrial Estate.

The contempt proceedings were initiated through Form 48 – Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order, issued under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.

The notice warns that unless the pastors comply with the judgment, they risk committal to prison.

Those listed in the notice include Senior Pastor Bolaji Idowu, Pastor Omowunmi Idowu, and Pastor Adedeji Agboade, who also serves as Secretary of the church’s Board of Trustees.

The notice, signed pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order IX Rule 13 of the Judgment Enforcement Rules, directs the pastors to obey the order of Justice O.A. Ogala delivered on December 6, 2022.

In that judgment, the court granted the claimant possession of Plot 5, Block B, Gbagada Industrial Estate, located in Shomolu Local Government Area, Lagos State, while restraining the defendants and their agents from trespassing or interfering with the property.

The warning reads in part: “Unless you obey the order of the court granting possession of the said land and restraining trespass, you will be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prison.”

This development underscores the escalating legal battle over the four-acre property facing the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway, which has been at the center of prolonged litigation.

The High Court of Lagos State has already declared that the land belongs to 11 PLC.

Following the judgment, the Sheriff of the High Court executed the order on April 15, 2025, placing 11 PLC in exclusive, lawful, and peaceful possession of the property.

However, reports indicate that Harvesters International Christian Centre allegedly colluded with omo onile and, with the assistance of officers from the Zone 2 Police Command, forcefully took over the land despite the subsisting court judgment.

The church, reportedly backed by Zone 2 officers, allegedly mounted a signboard reading “Harvesters International Church” on the property and erased the Sheriff’s inscription on the fence which stated, “Possession taken by order of the Court.”

This was allegedly done with full knowledge that the omo onile who purportedly allocated the land to the church had no legal title to the property.

Observers claim that with the active support of Zone 2 officers, the church appears determined to unlawfully occupy land that both the police and the church know has been legally declared to belong to 11 PLC.

Critics expressed shock at the alleged conduct of Zone 2 officers who, rather than uphold the rule of law, were said to have aided illegality.

Despite not contesting the validity of the High Court judgment or the certificate of possession issued to 11 PLC, the police allegedly displaced the company from lawful possession at the instigation of Harvesters Church.

Efforts to persuade the church leadership to desist have reportedly failed, as the church, with continued police backing, remains determined to take over the land at all costs.

It will be recalled that in a landmark judgment delivered by Justice Ogala of the High Court, Ikeja, the court upheld the arguments of 11 PLC’s counsel, Adenrele Adegborioye Esq. of BA LAW LLP, and granted all reliefs sought by the company.

The court declared 11 PLC the lawful owner and holder of the statutory right of occupancy over the land, as described in Survey Plan No. LS/DKKJ/957 and covered by Certificate of Occupancy No. 79, Page 79, Volume 1998D of the Lagos State Lands Registry, Ikeja, dated June 28, 1998.

It further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, or servants from selling, leasing, or trespassing on the land.

Finally, the court granted 11 PLC exclusive possession of the land as the rightful owner.