REV. RUFUS IWUAJOKU ONUEKWUSI & ORS V. THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE CHRIST METHODIST ZION CHURCH

IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The plaintiff at the High court of Imo state (trial court), holden at Owerri, is a Religious Body known as and called THE CHRIST METHODIST ZION CHURCH and incorporated on the 26th of September, 1949 under the Land (perpetual succession) Act, Cap. 98, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was founded in 1942 and has branches all over Nigeria including Mbiere. It is a member of an International council of Christian churches with Headquarters at AMSTERDAM. The overall headquarters of the Church is situate at OBAZU MBIERE.

According to the version of the plaintiff, the Government of the church is entrusted into the hands of the president who is the spiritual head of the church; the clergy, the secretary, the Assistant secretary, the Treasurer, the Trustees and the representatives from each of the parishes.

The election of the officers is usually for a term of three years but the general conference has the right to ex…