A troubling family dispute in Imo State has landed Pastor Ebere Emmanuel Amadi of the Tree of Life Bible Church in prison. The pastor was arrested after his mother, Mrs. Nelly Chidinma Amadi, accused him of assaulting her, stealing property documents, and damaging her belongings over a property disagreement.
Reports indicate that Pastor Amadi had been hiding from the police for weeks before his arrest by officers from the Ogbaku Police Station. He was previously granted administrative bail but fled, leading to a warrant for his re-arrest.
The Imo State Police Command charged the pastor with several offenses, including:
- Theft: Stealing property documents belonging to his mother.
- Property Damage: Breaking his mother’s medicated glasses worth ₦60,000.
- Public Disturbance: Forcibly entering her property and defacing it with warning signs such as “This House is Not for Sale.”
These actions, according to the police, violate sections of the Nigerian Criminal Code.
During the court hearing, Pastor Amadi pleaded not guilty. His lawyer argued for bail, suggesting the matter might be resolved within the family. The court granted bail at ₦500,000 with strict conditions, including a surety who must be a Level 10 civil servant.
However, the pastor was remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Owerri after failing to meet the bail requirements. The court adjourned the case to January 24, 2025, for further proceedings.
This case serves as a reminder of how family conflicts can spiral into legal troubles. Many hope the family can reconcile and resolve the matter peacefully.
