Nigerian Pastor Held for Over a Year Without Charge Despite Court Order for release

The quiet rhythm of night prayers at a modest church in Aba, Abia State, was shattered in the early hours of February 12, 2025, when armed security operatives stormed the premises and took away its leader, Pastor Esther Egbom. More than a year later, she remains in detention without formal charges, and family members say court orders mandating her release have been ignored.

Egbom leads God’s Solution Bible Ministry in Aba, located in Southeast Nigeria. Family sources have recounted the events surrounding her arrest, describing a prolonged ordeal marked by legal battles and alleged disobedience of judicial directives.

According to a relative who spoke with SaharaReporters, the ministry had concluded its night prayers on February 11, 2025, prompting some members to remain overnight due to the late hour. What followed was a scene of fear and confusion.

“Around 2 a.m. on February 12, 2025, some uniformed DSS officers broke into the ministry and started searching everywhere. They couldn’t see anything apart from the members who slept over,” the relative said. “They took the pastor, Esther Egbom, and one of the female members away that night.”

The officers were also accused of confiscating eight mobile phones belonging to church members, deepening the sense of isolation and helplessness among those present, relatives said.

In the aftermath of the raid, anxiety reportedly turned into desperation. Family and church members mounted an intensive search for Egbom, but her whereabouts remained unknown for months. It was not until May 2025 that they learned she was being held in Department of State Services (DSS) custody in Abuja.

According to family sources, security agents claimed they were searching for one Osonwa Ifeanyi, whom they alleged was a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and an attendee of the church. Unable to locate him, they allegedly decided to arrest the church leader instead.

Since her arrest, family members say they have not been allowed to see Egbom. Relatives in Abuja who visited DSS offices were turned away and denied access to the facility. Even her legal team, they claim, has been barred from meeting with her.

“We do not know her whereabouts,” a family source said.

Court Orders Ignored

The legal battle took a decisive turn when a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Kuje, Abuja, intervened. In Suit No. FCT/HC/M/4942/2025, presided over by Hon. Justice Odunayo O. Bamodu, the court ordered authorities to either formally charge Egbom or release her.

The enrolled court order, issued on September 24, 2025, stated that judgment was delivered on July 9, 2025, with the following directive: “That the Respondents shall charge the Applicant in a court of competent jurisdiction within 42 hours of receipt of the order. Otherwise, the Respondents are ordered to release the Applicant forthwith.”

For the family, the ruling initially brought hope, but they say that hope has since given way to renewed frustration. Despite the judgment, Egbom remains in custody, and her legal team has had to approach the court seeking enforcement of its own order.

In a letter dated November 11, 2025, addressed to the Registrar of the FCT High Court, Kuje, the law firm of Nnaemeka Ejiofor & Associates urged the court to give effect to its judgment. The letter noted that the time given for compliance had elapsed and requested a production warrant to bring Egbom before the court for release.

“The judgment of this court has not been challenged in any manner whatsoever and therefore remains sacrosanct,” the lawyers stated.

Earlier, in a separate letter dated April 4, 2025, addressed to the Director General of the DSS, the family’s lawyers made a passionate appeal for access to Egbom. Citing constitutional provisions, they reminded the security agency of her right to consult a lawyer of her choice and to have her family notified of her arrest and whereabouts.

As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official response regarding compliance with the court’s directive. Egbom remains in custody without access by family members or lawyers.

The family is now demanding that the DSS comply with the court orders mandating her release. They are also requesting immediate access to Egbom while the security agency prepares any charges, should such charges exist.