Pastor
Effiong and a videographer in the church were arrested on Sunday, June 21 for
allegedly assaulting the COVID-19 monitoring team in the state.
The Akwa Ibom
State government on Wednesday dropped the charges against Emmanuel Effiong, a
pastor of Christ Embassy Church in Uyo.
They were
accused of attacking the officials who were out to ensure all religious centres
observed the COVID-19 guidelines. Both men were arrested after the church was
sealed.
In a
statement released by the State Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh, the
decision to drop the charges came from accepting appeals from well-meaning
individuals and groups.
He added that
the church and the pastor have also tendered an unreserved apology to the State
government and pledged to adhere to all the guidelines and protocols adopted to
prevent community spreading of the novel Coronavirus in the state.
“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.
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” the statement read.
No comments:
Post a Comment