Police Mislabeled My Stun Gun – Pastor Adefarasin
Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock has accused the Lagos State Police Command of mislabeling his strobe-light stringer as “prohibited anti-riot equipment” following his detention and release without charge on Tuesday.
The senior pastor and convener of The Experience worship concert said he voluntarily reported to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters after a viral video showed him confronting a car spotter who was filming his Range Rover with what appeared to be a weapon.
According to a statement released by the church on Thursday, Adefarasin was detained for several hours before being released when police findings confirmed that what he was holding was not a gun but a strobe-light stringer, also known as a stun gun.
However, the church expressed concern over what it described as police mischaracterisation of the device.
“During that time, an official police tweet mis-labelled his strobe-light stinger-also known as a stun gun-as “prohibited anti-riot equipment”. Leading Nigerian lawyers advise that this description is incorrect in law,” the statement partly read.
The viral video, which surfaced earlier this month, sparked widespread criticism from viewers who were concerned by what appeared to be a pistol in the pastor’s hand during the confrontation.
Meanwhile, House on the Rock management has expressed gratitude to the public for their support during the incident, noting that the pastor continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.
“Pastor Paul continues to co-operate fully with the police investigation and is confident that, once the facts are reviewed, he will be exonerated of the allegation arising from the viral video.
“We hold the police in high esteem and trust they will strive to AC courteously and professionally, in the interest of all, while upholding the laws of the land,” the church said.
Despite the release without charge, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olorundare Jimoh, confirmed on Thursday that the pastor remains under investigation.
Though granted bail, Jimoh stated that investigations will continue and the outcome will be made public for all Nigerians.
Police Mislabeled My Stun Gun – Pastor Adefarasin is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
