Prominent legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju has publicly criticized Pastor David Ibiyeomie over remarks warning Nigerians against speaking about or criticizing him or his church, threatening legal consequences for dissenters.
Adeyanju expressed disappointment, questioning the pastor’s stance and comparing it unfavorably to the example set by Jesus Christ. “People criticized Jesus and He did not lock them up. And now a pastor is boasting about using the police to arrest people?” he said.
He further condemned what he described as authoritarian behavior by some religious leaders, stating that such actions contribute to the growing disillusionment with organized religion. “These pastors are acting like unbelievers and de-marketing Christianity. They are part of the reason many people no longer attend church,” Adeyanju said.
Drawing a broader implication, he warned that such conduct by a religious leader sets a dangerous precedent. “If a pastor can speak this way, what should we then expect from politicians when they become dictatorial?” he added.
The statement has sparked debate on the role of religious figures in upholding democratic values and the limits of freedom of expression in matters of faith.
