Founder of GreatGod Holy Tabernacle, Prophet Tamarauebi Elisha Owan, has been ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, to pay N200 million in damages for the unlawful destruction of a traditional Egbesu shrine where Niger Delta leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and others serve as chief priests.
Delivering judgment in the matter before the court on 29 June, 2026, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa condemned the actions of Prophet Owan and members of his congregation, describing them as “unconstitutional” and a clear violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
The Court further issued a mandatory injunction directing the prophet and his co-respondents to rebuild the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple, the traditional place of worship destroyed during the incident.
As the court records put it, “the respondents carried out the invasion under the guise of combating evil spirits, causing extensive damage.”
Recall, the matter followed from events of December 20, 2024, in Ojobo community, Delta State, when Prophet Owan and members of his church allegedly stormed the Osuopele Beniseide Opu-Oru Temple, a shrine dedicated to the Egbesu deity.
