Adefarasin: Pointing stun gun at another individual, sending threat constitute an offence — Lagos CP

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has stated that using a stun gun to intimidate or instill fear in another person is considered a criminal offence under the law.

He made this statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday while providing updates on the investigation involving the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin. The pastor was recently granted bail after being questioned over a gun-like object seen in his possession in a viral video.

“Nothing is an offence under the law, except what the law states to be an offence. Even under the Fire Arms Act, if you fashion out anything that is not metal, like wood, and you make it look like a gun, and you use that guise to take possession of property from another person, you have committed armed robbery.

“So, pointing a stun gun at another individual and sending that threat and fear to such a person at that particular time constitutes an offence. So, the police are doing everything in line with the law,” he said.

Jimoh clarified that the object recovered from Adefarasin was a stun gun, not a conventional firearm. However, he emphasized that the item is classified as prohibited riot equipment under existing laws.

“He was invited; a letter of invitation was sent to him. In fact, we had prepared our warrant of arrest, in case he refused to comply with the invitation. But he turned himself in and was questioned by a team of investigators who were already on the matter before he turned himself in.

“The matter is still undergoing further investigation. As the PPRO has informed the public, what was recovered from him was a stun gun, not a lethal weapon, but is prohibited riot equipment which we are investigating. We further questioned him why he pointed such to another individual.”

A photo of Pastor Adefarasin and a screenshot from the viral video were widely circulated.

‘Investigation Ongoing’

The Commissioner added that the individual at whom the stun gun was allegedly pointed will also be invited to make a formal statement.

“It is equally on social media that the person he pointed it to is a content creator and we are taking a statement from him as soon as he equally gets to us because we have got his address and we’re going to get him to make a statement in that regard.

“So, the pastor is still under investigation, though he has been granted bail, but we will continue with the investigation and make the outcome of the investigation public for all Nigerians to know,” he added.

Pastor Adefarasin was released on bail on Wednesday, a day after he voluntarily presented himself to police authorities.

According to the police, he was interrogated and submitted a cautionary statement during his session with investigators.

The viral video, which emerged earlier this month, showed the pastor in a Range Rover, lowering the window and interacting with another road user while holding an unidentified black object.

The clip stirred speculation across social media, with many alleging the object looked like a firearm.

In response, Pastor Adefarasin posted a clarification on his official X handle:

“You might be aware of a video which has been circulating on social media showing me in what some have misunderstood as brandishing a firearm. I want to assure you of this — that was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone,” he wrote.