Police Charge Cleric To Court For Allegedly Assaulting Church Member

The Primate of the First African Church Mission (FACM), the Very Reverend Sunday Oludare Matilukuro, has been charged before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere for allegedly assaulting a church official.

In a three-count charge filed against the Primate by the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), he was accused of conspiracy, assault resulting in harm, grievous harm, and wounding.

A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Omonyimenle Ijie, alleged in the charge which is before Justice Serifat Soniake, that on September 14, 2025, the Primate assaulted Mr Sunday Soneye, a church official.

The police prosecutor further claimed that the Primate caused the victim to sustain grievous harm, and wounds.

Police also claimed in the charge that the offences breach sections 411, 173, 246(a), and 245 of the Criminal Law.

Justice Soniake has fixed the arraignment for March 9.

Charges against the primate read, “Count One: Statement Of Offence, Conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 411 Criminal Law, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Particulars Of Offence, “Sunday Oludare Matilukuro ‘M’, and others at large, on or about 14th day of August, 2025 or so soon thereafter, in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of Lagos State High Court, did conspire to commit felony, to wit: assault occasioning harm, causing grievous harm and wounding of one Mr Sunday Soneye M.”

Count Two; Statement Of Offence: “Assault occasioning harm, contrary to Section 173, Criminal Law, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. “Particulars Of Offence: “Sunday Oludare Matilukuro ‘M’ and others at large, on or about the 14th day of August, 2025, or so soon thereafter, in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of Lagos State High Court, did unlawfully assault Mr Sunday Soneye ‘M’ to stupor, causing him harm till he fainted.”

Count Three: Statement Of Offence: “Grievous harm contrary to Section 245, Criminal Law, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Particulars Of Offence Sunday Oludare Matilukuro ‘M’ and others at large, on or before 14th day of August, 2025 or so soon thereafter, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court, did cause grievous harm to Mr Sunday Soneye ‘M’.”

Count Four: Statement Of Offence. “Wounding contrary to Section 246(a), Criminal Law, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Particulars Of Offence: “SUNDAY OLUDARE MATILUKURO ‘M’ and others at large, on or before 14th day of August, 2025 or so soon thereafter, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court, did cause wounding to Mr Sunday Soneye ‘M’.”