Nnewi Chief Magistrates’ Court has sealed off a church in Nnewi, Anambra State, over noise pollution.
The church was sued by the Director of Environmental Health Services, Nnewi, and the Nnewi North Local Government Area for public nuisance.
In suit number NMC/10c/2019, the church, was prosecuted on two counts under the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
The church was accused of mounting an amplifier and five loudspeakers in front of its premises and tuning same at a higher pitch, leading to noise pollution in the neighbourhood.
The prosecution described the situation as “prejudicial to man’ s health, which is punishable under Section 21 of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State 2006”.
The church was also accused of failure to comply with the terms and requisition of abatement notice referenced No: 00000896 served on it.
The prosecution said the condition was punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
The prosecution presented three witnesses who all testified that the activities of the church, especially during its vigils, were not just a source of noise pollution, but also a great disturbance to an 86-year-old woman.
However, the President-General of the community, who appeared as a witness to the defendant, said the activities of the church did not disturb anybody.
Delivering judgment on the matter, the court presided by A.C. Emekwue directed the director of environmental health services and Nnewi North LGA to seal off the church.
The court also directed the defendant to relocate the church within 10 days or face one year in prison without option of a fine. Punch
