Seventh Day Adventist Church Takes Legal Battle To Appeals Court Following Initial Rejection

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has announced its intention to challenge a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declined to halt the scheduling of elections and examinations on Saturdays within Nigeria.

Following the ruling delivered by Justice James Kolawole Omotoso, Benjamin Ahaemefule, legal counsel for the plaintiff, addressed reporters, expressing the plan to escalate the matter to the Court of Appeal in order to further scrutinize the legal aspects.

While Ahaemefule acknowledged partial success in certain aspects of the case, he noted the unfavorable outcome in the main suit as the impetus for seeking appellate review.

“The court acknowledged its jurisdiction to consider our case,” Ahaemefule stated. “It also recognized Elder Ugochukwu Uchenwa’s standing to bring forth the action for the protection of his fundamental rights and those of all members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria.”

“Although the court acknowledged the breach of Adventists’ rights, it declined to enforce them, citing the minority status of the Adventist community,” he continued. “Despite acknowledging the infringement, the court deemed it legally necessary and justifiable.”

Ahaemefule emphasized that the court’s decision was flawed in asserting that although the Adventists had grounds for legal action and their rights were indeed violated, such infringement was deemed acceptable.

“The court’s assertion that the Adventists have a valid claim but cannot enforce their rights due to their minority status is legally questionable,” Ahaemefule argued. “This reasoning sets a concerning precedent, suggesting that the rights of minority groups may be disregarded on the basis of numerical dominance.”

He concluded by affirming the intent to challenge the judgment at the appellate level, seeking a reconsideration of the legal principles involved and advocating for the protection of fundamental rights regardless of minority status.

For more information join our WhatsApp group by clicking the link here: WhatsApp Group Invite