Outrage as Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s “Gun” Turns Out to Be Stun Gun

When a viral video showed Pastor Paul Adefarasin brandishing what appeared to be a firearm during a gathering, outrage spread quickly across social media.

Accusations flew, with many questioning why a religious leader would wield a weapon in public. But weeks later, the Lagos State Police released their findings: the object was not a gun, but a prohibited stun gun.

By June 2025, the founder of House on the Rock had been granted administrative bail, with authorities stressing that while it was not a firearm, stun guns are still banned under Nigerian law. For critics, the revelation raised more questions than it answered, especially about why such an item was in his possession in the first place.

Police data shows this may be less unusual than many believe. Since 2020, cases of stun gun possession have risen by 15%, reflecting a growing trend among affluent Nigerians who seek personal security alternatives amid rising concerns about violent crime. Adefarasin’s case, far from being isolated, may simply be part of this larger pattern.

Yet public suspicion lingers, particularly given how swiftly the matter was resolved. Skeptics point to Nigeria’s justice system, where the powerful often receive gentler treatment.

A 2022 study in the Journal of African Law found that high-profile figures are 30% more likely to receive favorable outcomes in legal disputes than ordinary citizens. Against this backdrop, the clearance of Adefarasin fuels perceptions of double standards.

For many Nigerians, the incident is symbolic of a deeper issue: the uneasy balance between privilege, law, and public accountability. While the police may have closed the case, the debate over what justice looks like in Nigeria is far from over.