Police clear Pastor Adefarasin of wrongdoing over viral firearm allegation

The Lagos State Police Command has cleared Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, of any wrongdoing after a viral video showed him holding what appeared to be a firearm.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, on Wednesday, the command confirmed that Adefarasin voluntarily reported to its headquarters in Ikeja for questioning over the incident.

According to police investigations, the object seen in the viral clip was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon.

“After a thorough investigation, including interrogation and a cautionary statement from Pastor Adefarasin, it was established that the object in question was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon or firearm.

“Consequent to our findings, the Lagos State Police Command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. The case is hereby discontinued,” the statement read.

The command added that it remains committed to transparency in its operations while upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety.

This marks a turn from June, when the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had stated that pointing a stun gun at someone constituted a criminal offence under Nigerian law.

Speaking on Channels Television at the time, Jimoh noted that stun guns fall under prohibited riot control equipment and warned that using them to instil fear could amount to an offence.

He added that both Adefarasin and the individual allegedly threatened in the clip would be questioned.

The video, which circulated widely in June, showed the pastor seated in a Range Rover while holding the device during an exchange with another individual.

Adefarasin had denied ever brandishing a firearm, insisting it was a non-lethal object.