Grace Nation Church has said it does not owe Omolayo Michael, who gifted it two vehicles three years ago and is demanding their return.
In a statement, the church’s lawyer, Ilesanmi Akinwale, noted Michael gave the church two SUVs of his free will during service, but denied the church owed him.
He clarified that the church never solicited nor requested any gifts from Omolayo.
The statement reads: “Sometime in 2021, Omolayo during service gave two cars to the church to express and appreciate God’s faithfulness in his life, family and business and gave the original documents of these vehicles to the church secretariat.
“For close to three years, the vehicles were really never in use and were parked in one spot until the church management decided that rather than allow the vehicles to rot, one of them should be sold and the proceeds remitted to church coffers.
“The management also agreed the second SUV be given as a gift to a member to support and encourage members.
“In March, Michael approached our pastor for N10 million financial assistance, saying his business had not been doing well. Efforts were made to assist him in obtaining a loan from a bank.
“We were shocked when he told the police the church refused to return the SUVs and owes him N50 million for supply of diesel.
“We have been inundated with calls from the media threatening to publish negative reports against the church.
“While we reiterate our commitment to stand by our members in difficult times, we will not allow anyone to damage our reputation and integrity through cheap blackmail, character assassination and extortion…’’