The Oshakati High Court has postponed its judgment in a matter involving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) to Monday next week.
Judge David Munsu said the ruling was not yet ready on Tuesday when the matter was on the court roll for judgment.
“The ruling is not ready today. It will be delivered on Monday, 15 September, at 10h00,” the judge announced.
The church has been taken to court by four clergymen: Fillemon Nepaka, Joseph Shikuma, Lamek Nambahu and Josua Nghipandwa.
They are asking the court to declare the inauguration of Elcin bishops Gideon Niitenge and Hilja Nghaangulwa invalid and to set it aside.
The group further wants the High Court to declare the 2024 Elcin synod, which elected Niitenge and Nghaangulwa as bishops, unlawful and nullified.
They argue in court documents that the synod was not presided over by a bishop, as required by article 12 of the Elcin constitution.
At the time of the synod, Elcin did not have a sitting bishop following the death of bishop-elect Martin Ngodji in 2021.
Between 2021 and 2023, Niitenge served as Elcin moderator after failing to secure enough votes to be elected bishop.
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