The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed that the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, voluntarily turned himself in for questioning following the circulation of a viral video showing him holding a gun-like object.
“No one is above the law. Pastor Paul Adefarasin has turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, and is currently being interrogated by detectives who have commenced investigation on the case,” the police said in a post on X.
They added, “The outcome of the investigation will be made public.”
The video, which surfaced earlier this month, shows the prominent cleric driving a Range Rover, winding down his window, and engaging with a road user while holding a black unidentified object.
The footage sparked widespread speculation online, with many alleging the object resembled a firearm.
In response, Pastor Adefarasin took to his official X handle to dismiss the claims.
“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.
The cleric acknowledged the public concern stirred by the footage and appealed for calm.
“We understand the concern that this accusation may have caused… Thank you for your patience and understanding,” he added, noting that he would address the matter further during Sunday’s church service.
Eyewitness commentary accompanying the viral clip suggested the incident occurred when a passer-by recognised Adefarasin in traffic. The cleric was seen lowering his window and raising the object, prompting assumptions that it was a weapon.
During one of his Sunday sermons, which was streamed live on the church’s YouTube channel, Adefarasin reiterated his position, describing the public reaction as both “hurtful” and “malicious”.
“I was falsely accused of bearing a firearm, pointing a firearm at an aggressive content creator who came within personal distance,” he said. “The only thing separating him and me was maybe three-quarters of a metre and a glass. I do not have a pistol licence. I do not carry a firearm, and I pointed no firearm at anybody.”
He further decried the spread of misinformation and suggested financial motivations were behind the narrative.
“We have witnessed clickbaiters just looking for more money. I probably wasn’t even their target; their target was to make more money,” he told the congregation.
Reflecting on the toll the saga took on him, the 62-year-old cleric admitted feeling “shocked” and “hurt” when notified of the trending video.
“I am human. But God is touched by our infirmities and can first give us succour. And what the enemy means for evil, He works for good,” he said.
