Almost $50,000 in fines handed out to churchgoers who broke COVID rules by attending The Christ Embassy service in Blacktown

Authored by abc.net.au and submitted by LuckyBdx4

Almost $50,000 in fines have been handed out to churchgoers who broke public health orders by attending a service in Sydney's west.

Key points: Pastor Martin Osaghae urged his congregation to "refuse every lockdown"

Pastor Martin Osaghae urged his congregation to "refuse every lockdown" Police fined him and another 27 people $500 on Wednesday for failing to wear or carry a mask

Police fined him and another 27 people $500 on Wednesday for failing to wear or carry a mask Mr Osaghae was also served a prohibition order, which prevents the church from operating for a week

Sixty people, including children, travelled to The Christ Embassy at Blacktown from COVID hotspots on Sunday evening.

Police were called to Fourth Avenue after a member of the public contacted Crime Stoppers.

The service — which was streamed live on Facebook — was led by Pastor Martin Osaghae.

During a different service earlier in the day, Mr Osaghae called for an end to lockdowns.

"In the name of Jesus, we refuse every lockdown in our cities, in the name of Jesus go ahead and pray," he told the congregation.

NSW Police have issued more fines on top of the $35,000 for COVID-19 breaches after an illegal gathering in Blacktown. ( ABC News

Hours after the evening service, 30 people were fined $1,000 each for breaching the public health orders — including Mr Osaghae.

Police fined him and another 27 people $500 on Wednesday for failing to wear or carry a mask at the illegal gathering.

Mr Osaghae was also served a prohibition order, which prevents the church from operating for a week.

Police have issued an additional 22 penalty infringement notices for the gathering. ( ABC News

The Christ Embassy has been fined $5,000 — taking the total number of fines issued to $49,000.

"Inquiries revealed there was no QR code present at the entry to the building," a NSW Police spokesperson said.

"Those in attendance were from various LGAs including Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool."

The Christ Embassy was founded by Chris Oyakhilome, who previously urged his followers against getting COVID-19 vaccinations.

Its main headquarters are in Lagos, Nigeria.

secretlyjudging on August 25th, 2021 at 13:25 UTC »

In the US, $50,000 barely covers treatment for ONE hospitalized COVID patient.

TheClayroo on August 25th, 2021 at 10:08 UTC »

Donation basket's going to be a little light next time around.

57oranges on August 25th, 2021 at 09:39 UTC »

They should just ask Jesus to pay it. It's his embassy after all.