The Appellate Court in Ibadan continue to hear a case challenging the judgment of the State High Court, Ilaro, Ogun State. Back on 26th March 2015, Justice Asenuga J. declared Rev. EMF Oshoffa as an illegal occupant of the Pastor seat. However, the registered Board of Trustees managed to secure a stay of execution on 17th May 2016, coram Justice Olugbemi.
Unhappy with the decision of the lower court, the registered Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to challenge the judgment. They sought justice from the Appellate Court in Ibadan. Their goal was not only to overturn the decision of the lower court in Ogun State but also to seek legal interpretation of the case. The Appellate Court serves as an intermediate court between the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Today, on the 26th of February 2025, the Appellate Court eagerly listened to the legal counsel from both parties as the issue of the genuine registered Board of Trustees came into question. The counsel representing the registered BOT passionately argued that the Church’s Board of Trustees is that which was duly signed by CAC that also filed the appeal. On the other hand, the legitimacy of the unregistered BOT was being challenged at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
The Presiding Justice at the Appeal Court expressed her dismay over the fact that a religious organization was unable to resolve their differences amicably. She urged the Church to settle the dispute of the “Registered BOT & Unregistered BOT” at the lower court, which would streamline the work for the appellate court. The Judge emphasized that if the Church truly was a spirit-filled gathering, then genuine reconciliation and settlement should not be difficult to achieve. The Appeal Court made it clear that emotions and religious beliefs would not sway their interpretation of the law. The case was adjourned to the 22nd of October 2025, and the Pastor’s counsel assured the court that the Pastor was fully committed to seeking peace, as advised by some elders.
However, after the hearing, members of the registered BOT, few Pastor aides and the Pastor counsel was seen discussing about the matter within the court premises, while the Pastor counsel ask for a possible way forward of the matter, while a member of the registered BOT told the Pastor counsel that since the Pastor counsel is a celestial member that if truly he wants peace in the Church, he should give the Pastor the right legal advice for the betterment and future of the Church, and the matter will be resolved within 92 hours.
BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE LEGAL DISPUTE BETWEEN REV. SHONEKAN AND REV. EMF OSHOFFA.
In the year 2007/2008, a significant event took place in Imeko, Ogun State, involving Rev. Shonekan and his followers. Rev. Shonekan arrived with the intention of declaring himself as the Pastor of the Church. In response, the registered Board of Trustees (BOT) swiftly reacted by rejecting his claim and excommunicated him from the Church. Despite this, Rev. Shonekan persisted in his efforts to assert himself as Pastor and take control of the CCC National Headquarters, Makoko, CCC International Headquarters Ketu, and the World Headquarters in Imeko, Ogun State.
To safeguard the position of the Pastor and the movement of Rev. EMF Oshoffa, the registered BOT took legal action against Rev. Shonekan in the State High Court Ilaro, Ogun State. The BOT sought an injunction to prevent Rev. Shonekan from presenting himself as Pastor. Throughout the trial and cross-examination, the State High Court determined that neither Rev. EMF Oshoffa nor Rev. Shonekan had the legal right to serve as Pastor of the Church. This ruling was based on the Supreme Court’s declaration that the Church did not have a legal Pastor in accordance with Section 111 of the Church Constitution. The Supreme Court had advised the Church to amend its constitution, a recommendation that had not been implemented at the time of the legal proceedings.
The State High Court in Ilaro issued a declaration on 26th March 2015, which resulted in Tosho Oshoffa proclaiming himself as the Pastor and Head of Unification. Following this proclamation, the registered Board of Trustees (BOT) released a press statement denouncing Tosho Oshoffa’s actions as an insult to the Church. The BOT reaffirmed their loyalty to Rev. EMF Oshoffa. Additionally, the registered BOT decided to challenge the lower court’s judgment at the Appellate Court in Ibadan after the three-year stay of execution had expired. This legal action was taken in order to uphold the integrity and principles of the Church which allows Rev EMF Oshoffa to still function as the Pastor pending the determination of the case.
Appeal paper filed by the registered BOT in 2015 
