Warri Court Orders Pastor to Rebuild Shrine and Pay ₦205M for Violating Religious Rights

A pastor in Delta State destroyed an Egbesu shrine to prove its gods were false. The Federal High Court in Warri held this action violated worshippers’ right to freedom of religion under Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution and contradicted the prohibition against a state religion in Section 10. The court ordered the pastor to rebuild the destroyed shrine, pay ₦100 million in general damages, ₦100 million in exemplary damages, and ₦5 million in legal costs. He must also publish a public apology in two national newspapers and stay at least 10 kilometres away from the worshippers. Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to practise and preach their faith. But no one may destroy another group’s place of worship simply because they disagree with its beliefs.

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