St. David Anglican Church in Ibulesoro, Ifedore LGA, Ondo State, was shut down on Palm Sunday as angry congregants barred the presiding cleric, Venerable Adebanjo, from holding service. The members accused him of high-handedness, financial misconduct, and verbal abuse.
Men, women, and youths barricaded the church gates, insisting the cleric should no longer lead services.
“We are not fighting God or the Church, but we cannot accept his leadership anymore,” one member said.
Congregants claimed Adebanjo ignored church elders in financial decisions, awarding contracts without consultation and allegedly demanding kickbacks. They also accused him of publicly insulting church members, cursing congregants, and targeting youths during sermons.
One youth leader said, “He repeatedly calls us ‘Yahoo boys,’ discouraging many from attending church.” Members added that his actions led to the cancellation of the church’s 2025 annual harvest.
The church elders reported the issues to the Bishop, requesting Adebanjo’s redeployment, but said no action has been taken.
“We have even paid all his entitlements, yet nothing has changed,” a member lamented.
The congregation vowed to keep the church closed until their grievances are addressed, emphasizing that their protest remained peaceful and aimed at restoring proper leadership.
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