The Lagos State Police Command has cleared Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock Church after a viral video showed him holding what many thought was a gun.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the pastor voluntarily appeared at the police headquarters in Ikeja for questioning.
“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 said.
The police stressed that they remain committed to transparency, public safety, and the rule of law.
This decision comes three months after the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had warned that pointing a stun gun at someone was a criminal offence under Nigerian law. Speaking on Channels Television in June, Jimoh explained that stun guns are considered prohibited riot control devices and could amount to a crime if used to cause fear.
The viral video, recorded in June, showed Pastor Adefarasin seated in a Range Rover, holding the object while speaking with another individual.
Following public backlash, the cleric denied ever brandishing a firearm, saying the device was non-lethal.
