A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has mandated Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan of the GreatGod Holy Tabernacle to settle N200 million in damages. This penalty follows the unauthorized destruction of the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple, an Egbesu shrine where Niger Delta leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, or Tompolo, serves as a chief priest.
Justice H.A. Nganjiwa ruled on June 29, 2026, that the actions taken by Owan and his followers were unconstitutional. The court stated that the incident infringed upon the fundamental rights to freedom of belief and religion. Beyond the monetary penalty, the court ordered the prophet and his associates to reconstruct the temple.
The legal dispute originated from a December 20, 2024, incident in the Ojobo community. During the event, the prophet and his congregation targeted the shrine, claiming they were conducting a spiritual cleansing to remove evil influences, which resulted in the total destruction of the sacred site.
