Lagos — Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court on Monday accused Kuye Ademori, counsel to popular televangelist, Israel Ola-Ogundipe, of shielding the clergyman from justice.

Ola-Ogundipe is the Chief Head Shepherd of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Genesis Parish, Alagbado, Lagos.

He is charged over alleged fraud involving several millions of naira.

When the case came up, his counsel said he had an application to file in court, but the visibly angry judge questioned justification for such an application when the cleric has continued to evade arraignment.

"Your application cannot be heard in this court, throw it into the dustbin. It is obvious that you are shielding your client," Justice Dada said.

The judge noted that if she had the power she would have ordered the arrest of the lawyer.

The judge ordered a fresh bench warrant on the CCC pastor as well as issued a fresh reminder to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Marvel Akpoyibo, to produce the clergyman at all cost.

Several attempts to arraign the clergyman had failed amidst controversies over his whereabouts.

Ademori had consistently said the cleric was still in the custody of the police and was being detained at X-Squad, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Alagbon in Lagos.

However, the prosecution led by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Olabisi Ogungbesan, had countered such argument, saying the prophet was merely playing antics to avoid being arraigned.

Ola-Ogundipe was alleged to have swindled a female member of the church, Olaide Williams-Oni, of 12, 000 British Pound Sterling in 2002.

He was also alleged to have fraudulently obtained N8.5 million from the woman between June 2002 and December 2007.

The defendant was also accused of forging a Nigerian international passport with the name Sanyaolu Babatunde Solomon, Passport Number A2799555.

He is facing a three-count charge of stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

Justice Dada subsequently adjourned the case to March 18 to enable the prosecution arraign him in court.