The Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the arrest of a cleric, Venerable Oke Olarewaju, for committing contempt of court by failing to appear to defend himself against an alleged criminal offense.

According to the charge by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice, Venerable Oke Olarewaju faces two counts of disobeying a lawful order issued by the Ekiti State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which directed him to abate offensive odors and discomfort caused by the illegal rearing of a poultry farm within a residential area.

Additionally, Venerable Oke Olarewaju of All Saints Anglican Church, Off Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti, is alleged to have committed noise pollution and caused offensive odors from his poultry farm, which led to discomfort for residents of the area and posed a risk to public health.

The charge further states that the cleric committed an offense contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The presiding magistrate, Afunso Saka, after hearing the application from the complainant’s counsel, ordered that Venerable Oke be arrested and brought to court on the 20th of this month, which is the next sitting on the matter.