Click here to see the video of the HOT dirty slap that he is now denying in court: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0sYgOgB2_Y
The multi billionaire founder of the Living Faith Christian Church International otherwise known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has denied slapping a young lady in his Church during a deliverance session last year as alleged by the Lady's Counsel, Mr. Robert Igbinedion Esq.
While stating that both himself (1st Respondent) and the church (2nd Respondent) are "non juristic persons" and so cannot be sued, Oyedepo also denied that his Church have any record of a worshipper called "Miss Justice- a sobriquet given to the young lady for the purpose of the suit - in any of its services organized in the past.
He therefore asked the Court to strike out the case for lack of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.
Lagos based Lawyer and human right Activist, Robert Igbinedion acting on behalf of the allegedly assaulted lady had in April, filed a suit for the enforcement of the lady's fundamental rights to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, human dignity, fair hearing, and freedom from discrimination.
Mr. Igbinedion, however prayed the court to award the sum of N2bn as 'general and exemplary damages' against the bishop as well as compel him to publish a public apology in two national dailies and one international satellite television.
The Church In a counter affidavit deposed by its Senior Legal Officer, Mr. Olugbenga Adegboye Esq., affirmed that "his ministry is a place where the holy bible is preached and people are prayed for without coercion."
Also, the Church's Solicitor F. B Agbanwu Esq., in a written address to support the preliminary objection argued that the matter is not within the Nigeria constitution or the African Charter on Human and People's Rights.
Agbanwu therefore prayed the court to determine the capability of Mr. Igbinedion "to bring this kind of application" before it and whether "it is proper to bring this application against the 1st and 2nd respondents (Bishop Oyedepo and his church respectively).
While noting that cause of action must be centred on indisputable infringement of a fundamental human right, Oyedepo's Counsel stated that both respondents cannot sue and be sued.
He said "The cause of action or principal claim in this application centres merely on slapping one Miss Justice by the 1st respondent.
"The slapping of Miss Justice is an act that could be described as an assault which is a criminal offence punishable under the criminal code.
"We submit that slapping being an act of assault an item outside the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution and the African Charter, this court therefore lacks jurisdiction over same." He concluded.
The case was consequently adjourned to June 1st, for parties to adopt their motion before judgment is fixed.
It will be recalled that Bishop Oyedepo was last year December filmed to have slapped a young lady during a deliverance session in his Church, where the lady in question admitted to be a witch, but a "witch for Christ".
The video which was uploaded on YouTube went viral in the internet attracting widespread condemnation across the globe.
The Bishop who came out the following sunday to openly defend himself boasted that it was his right to slap witches and if given anther opportunity, he will slap more.
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