Foursquare Gospel Church suspends four pastors over failed land plans

The leadership of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria has announced the indefinite suspension of four of its pastors over their involvement in a protracted land issue in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The church disclosed this during its National Council of Ministers meeting held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the church campsite in Ajebo, Ogun State.

The suspended pastors are: Rev. Isaac Komolafe, the former district overseer of the Abuja branch of the church; Rev. Paul Okereke; Rev. Michael Azuonwu; and brother. Kenneth Ugbomah.

In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the Board, Reverend Samson Alawode, the church explained that its decision was due to the negative publicity that the protracted land transactions continued to bring to the Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria.

It went on to explain that despite a series of rebuttals from the church, “its public reputation continues to suffer as subscribers unrestrainedly create negative publicity.”

The board explained that the decision to suspend these ministers was taken following the findings of the Interim Panel of Inquiry (PIP) and over a decade of failed attempts by several committees to mediate between the affected ministers and subscribers to their land acquisition program.

“It was in light of the roles played by these clerics – Rev. Isaac Komolafe, the former District Overseer of the Abuja branch of the church, Rev. Paul Okereke, Rev. Michael Azuonwu and Bro. Kenneth Ugbomah – that they have been suspended from all ministerial duties and membership rights and privileges,”

However, the statement went on to say that the suspension would be lifted on the condition that they are able to resolve the issues with their subscribers in a satisfactory manner.