A church in Nnewi Anambra State has been sealed off by the Nnewi Chief Magistrates’ Court over noise pollution.
The church was charged to court in suit number NMC/10c/2019, by the Director of Environmental Health Services, Nnewi, and the Nnewi North Local Government Area on two counts under the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
According to PUNCH news, “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 prosecution said the condition was punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
“The church was also accused of failing to comply with the terms and requisition of abatement notice referenced No: 00000896 served on it” an offence punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State.
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The three witnesses presented by the prosecution testified against the church, saying that it’s activities “especially during its vigils, were not just a source of noise pollution, but also a great disturbance to an 86 year-old woman” PUNCH said.
The magistrate, A.C Emekwue, ordered that the church be sealed off by the director of environmental health services and Nnewi North LGA and further said that the church should relocate within 10 days.