Abuja, NIGERIA — Two siblings of Pastor Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and a former pastor of the same church have been remanded in Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State. The trio, comprising Mr. Enenche Enenche, Alexander Enenche, and Abraham Daniel, were ordered to be detained following their appearance in a Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja.
The two brothers of the prominent pastor, alongside Daniel, a former cleric at the Dunamis church, were initially detained by the Nigerian police after being invited for questioning in connection with serious allegations of cyberbullying and criminal defamation. The charges are centered on claims that the trio made defamatory statements against Pastor Paul Enenche, a respected figure in Nigerian Christian circles.
The incident first came to light on January 7, 2025, when the individuals were arrested and taken into custody. They were subsequently released on January 8, after an agreement was reportedly reached to resolve the matter amicably. However, the matter took a new turn when the police invited them to appear at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) on Friday, January 10, and again on Monday, January 13.
Upon honoring the police invitation, the three men were detained again, with sources indicating that they remained in police custody throughout the day on Monday, awaiting a decision on their legal status. As evening drew near, the police presented a remand order from the Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, which authorized their transfer to the Keffi Custodial Centre. This order followed an application by the Nigerian Police Force, though the exact details of the order, such as the duration of their detention, remain unclear.
The legal saga has shocked many, particularly members of the Dunamis Church, where Pastor Paul Enenche is a highly influential figure. The accusations against the brothers and Daniel have raised questions about the extent of internal conflict within the church and the possible motivations behind the alleged defamation.
Sources close to the situation revealed that a fundamental rights application is expected to be filed in court as early as Tuesday, with legal representatives of the detained individuals seeking to challenge the remand order. The application will likely argue that their continued detention violates their fundamental human rights, and that the charges against them are baseless and politically motivated.
The case has garnered significant attention, as it involves high-profile church figures and questions about the intersection of religion, law, and personal disputes in Nigeria. While the legal process unfolds, there remains uncertainty about the potential repercussions for Pastor Paul Enenche and his family, as well as the broader Dunamis Church community.
As the legal battle progresses, the public is closely monitoring the developments, with many awaiting further clarifications from both the police and the church regarding the specifics of the allegations and the motivations behind the ongoing detention. The story has raised critical questions about the limits of free speech and the role of the judiciary in handling cases involving public figures and sensitive personal matters.
The situation is far from over, and it appears that the legal proceedings will continue to draw attention in the coming days, as both sides prepare for what could become a protracted legal battle.
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