These are not the best of times for Pastor Tony Rapu as his church, This Present House has been sealed up by the Lagos State Government. Those in the know told us that the multi-million naira building will be demolished by Lagos State Government.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development has explained why the church was sealed up. “The Lagos State Government approved the sealing of a Lekki based Church, This Present House, for constructing without title documents and requisite building permit in contravention of the Lagos State Regional and Urban Planning Law 2010. The Government would not fold its arms and watch a brazen contravention of the law that could result in endangering the lives and property of Lagos state residents.”

“The church has no Planning Permit to embark on such a massive construction without due process, adding also that the church fence stands in the Right of Way of Freedom Road (currently under construction) and is directly under the high-tension wires. While government appreciates citizens rights to freedom of worship, the law stipulates a minimum of 15meters setback from the high tension wire to the property line. This church neglected and has refused to comply with the Statutory Notice served, as such the State Government must protect its citizens in order to mitigate against avoidable disasters.”

For those who don’t know, Pastor Tony Rapu is a medical doctor and social entrepreneur.  He is the senior pastor of the House of Freedom, a group of faith-based initiatives, including This Present House and The WaterBrook. His vision is to bring about developmental change in lives and communities by reaching out to different demographics through strategic interventions. He also chairs the Freedom Foundation, a non-profit, working towards social transformation and human security.