“NCPC Boss, failed woefully in his effort to Tear apart Denomination and Confiscate Properties of Assemblies of God Nigeria” Church General Council

Assemblies of God Church Nigeria has said that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Welfare Commission (NCPC) Rev Yakubu Pam has “failed woefully in his effort to Tear apart Denomination and Confiscate Properties of Assemblies of God Nigeria”, the Church also cautioned the public over dealings with the NCPC Boss and his movement.

This they said was in view of the Judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon Justice Emeka Nwite which among other things directed the deregistration of the movement referred to as ‘Assembly of God Northern Nigeria’ registered in 2017, which had a striking similarity with the name of the ‘Assemblies of God Nigeria’ which was incorporated in 1996, which according to the court was against that Company and Allied Matters Act.

The General Council of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria also cautioned the general public over the activities of the group and advised those participating in the activities of the said group led by the NCPC Boss to retrace their steps in order to save themselves from life-time regrets.

In a statement signed by Rev Andrew Dangwel on behalf of the General Council of the Church, and made available to this medium on Friday 25th August 2023, it was noted that the decision was reached sequel to a Judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja dated 11th July, 2023 in the case with Suit No; FHC/ABJ/CS/453/2022 between the Incorporated Trustees of Assemblies of God Nigeria (Plaintiff), with Incorporated Trustees of Assembly of God Northern Nigeria (Defendant) and Corporate Affairs Commission Headquarters, Abuja (2nd Defendant).

The Plaintiff had filed for determination through their counsel EJ Longpiya Esq, raising two questions before the Court. These include the following;
a. “Whether the registration of Incorporated Trustees of Assembly of God Northern Nigeria in 2017 as against the registration of Incorporated Trustees of Assemblies of God Nigeria in 1996 did not breach the provision of the Company and Allied Matters Act (then 1990) now 2020 and also the principles of Passing-Off in Law of Tort.”

b. “Whether the usage of the logo of the Plaintiff by the 1st Defendant in its Sunday School Manuals and the buildings of the plaintiff did not constitute an act of misleading the public to believe that the plaintiff and the 1st Defendants are one and the same Organization.”.

From available court documents dated 19th July 2023 the court consequently ordered the deregistration of the movement led by the NCPC Boss.

“In view of the above it is my humble opinion and I so hold that the Plaintiff has proven its case before this honorable Court”.

“Consequently, I hereby make the following Orders; (1) The 2nd Defendant is directed to revoke the registration of t(e 1st Defendant as Incorporated Trustees of Assembly of God Northern Nigeria for being in violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. (2) The 1st Defendant is restrained from using a name similar to that of the Plaintiff. (3) The 1st Defendant is restrained from using properties, buildings, logo, vehicles, names and whatsoever nomenclatures related or associated with the names of the Plaintiff.
(4) The sum of N10, 000, 000 (Ten Million Naira) is hereby awarded against the 1st and 2nd Defendant in favour of the Plaintiff as general damages. (5) Parties are to bear their respective cost of litigation.”

The full statement is presented as received;

“ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA

PRESS STATEMENT

THE NCPC BOSS, FAILED WOEFULLY IN HIS EFFORT TO TEAR APART DENOMINATION AND CONFISCATE PROPERTIES OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA.

You will recall that Rev Yakubu Pam, the current Executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Board, being the arrow head, and few others illegally registered a church call Assembly of God Northern Nigeria with the sole intention of decieving some members of his Mother church, Assemblies of God Nigeria, to believe it is still one and the same church. They carried out that registration against the will and without the consent of the mother church, Incorporated Trustees of Assemblies Of God Nigeria. He did not only register the church but also forcefully confiscated some church buildings and properties belonging to the mother church (Assemblies of God Nigeria) to be his own and also decieved so many members of the old church that the church is still the same old Assemblies of God Nigeria but only a little change in nomenclature.

Other illegal actions they carried out include the use of the Assemblies of God Nigeria logo on their sign posts and sunday school manuals, purposely to retain old members in the new movement. This illegal action has not only added salt to the injury of pre-existed Leadership tussle of the Mother church but worsen its case. Rev Yakubu Pam’s movement has led to social disorder, rancour and disharmony among church members as he is seen in many occasions to be using force and even thugs to forcefully evict church members and Pastors who refuse to follow him and his movement.

Assemblies of God Nigeria Lawyers, Seven Seals Attorneys wrote to the CAC, complaining of the striking similarity of name which is against the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

The CAC reasoned with the Lawyers and wrote two letters to the Incorporated Trustees of AGNN on two different occasions asking AGNN to visit CAC to change the name of their newly registered church, but AGNN persistently refused to honour the invitation. Assemblies of God Nigeria Lawyers now filed a case against AGNN at the Federal High Court Abuja, for that illegal name registration, confiscation of properties and also the use of AGN logo. In the same suit, the Lawyers also include CAC as second defendants for not revoking the name of Incorporated trustees of AGNN outrightly.

As the saying goes that Truth Shall always prevail, just recently, to the glory of God, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled the case in favour of Assemblies of God Nigeria and against the illegally registered Assembly of God Northern Nigeria. The Court has ordered them (AGNN) to stop using Assemblies of God Nigeria’s logo, to vacate all the buildings of AGNN and also, the court has awarded a damage of 10 million Naira against the defendants to be paid to the Mother Church as compensation.

The court vehemently frowned at the obvious and so glaring illegality of the so call registered AGNN. For the benefit of doubt, the Judgment of the court and the orders it gave to the Illegally Registered Assembly of God Northern Nigeria (AGNN) is pasted here below for the perusal of the public.

Many right thinking members of the society have observed that Rev Yakubu Pam, being a highly placed government official, should have used his influence to help in reconciling the church, but rather than doing that, he is seen exercising a very high sense of selfishness.

Taking advantage of Assemblies of God Leadership crises to make name and machendise for himself and to also established his own denomination so that he can be very Powerful.His followers are by this publication advised to retrace their steps in order to safe themselves from a life time regret. The general public is also hereby advised to seize from all transactions or dealings with and in the name of Assembly of God Northern Nigeria (AGNN) or any person or group of persons acting on behalf of AGNN. Any one who enters into any contract with them, do so at his own peril as the body has seized to exist in the eye of the Law.

Sign,
Rev Andrew Dangwel
For General Council, Assemblies Of God Nigeria.”