Popular Ondo-based cleric, Pastor John Kollyns, has reacted to allegations by the Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ODSAA) accusing him of harassing government officials during a recent enforcement exercise.
Roving Reporters had earlier reported that ODSAA condemned what it described as “unruly and unacceptable conduct” by the cleric during a lawful operation against illegal signage structures.
The agency said its officials were obstructed while carrying out statutory duties and disclosed that video evidence of the incident had been forwarded to appropriate authorities for necessary action.
However, in a message sent to Roving Reporters on Friday, Pastor Kollyns dismissed the allegations, insisting that the circulating video was “completely manipulated.”
“The video was completely manipulated to suit the barbaric action taken against our organization,” he stated.
The cleric argued that the footage lacked audio, which, according to him, would have provided context to the exchange between him and the officials.
“As you may have observed, there was no audio to reflect what I was demanding — to know why they would be placing illegal stickers on signage that have been standing for over eight years,” he said.
Pastor Kollyns further claimed that he received no response from the officials when he sought clarification.
“No response at all. When I observed that their heads were bent, I went into my office to calm the tension that had built up and allowed them to paste the stickers,” he added.
He maintained that he did not obstruct the officials but rather sought an explanation for what he described as the sudden action against long-standing signage belonging to his organization.
The development adds a new dimension to the controversy, as attention now shifts to the content and authenticity of the video evidence cited by the agency.
