Akwa Ibom Govt Drops Charges Against Christ Embassy

Following entreaties from well meaning individuals and groups, the Akwa Ibom State Government has dropped charges against Pastor Emmanuel Effiong of Christ Embassy Church, Nung Akpa Ime branch, off Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo.

Charles Udoh, Commissioner for Information Akwa Ibom State, disclosed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.

He said “The church and the pastor have since tendered an unreserved apology to the state government while promising to adhere to the Akwa Ibom State Government/Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)/World Health Organisation ( WHO)/Christian Association( CAN) Guidelines and Protocols adopted to prevent community spreading of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom State.

“All churches are reminded of the need to ensure strict adherence to all stipulated guidelines.”

Akwa Ibom government had sealed off a branch of the church located close to the state house of assembly for allegedly violating its guidelines on the opening of churches.

This is coming about two weeks after the church at a press conference said it was not bound to obey the guidelines jointly approved by the state government and the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Pastor Effiong, the pastor of the branch church, said Christ Embassy as a global ministry, is not a member of CAN or any other association in Nigeria and does not believe nor advocate for unionism of church, rather believe in the unity of the faith.

However, in statement by Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the Akwa Ibom government, it stated the decision was as a result of lawlessness by the church and to avoid the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State