Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts

Friday, 10 May 2024

Cleric Arrested for Allegedly Defiling Three Teenage Girls in Kwara State

According to information provided by Punch on May 9, 2024, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State has arrested a 45-year-old cleric, Prophet Olayinka Ajiboye, for allegedly defiling three teenage girls in Agah village, Ilorin South local government area of the state.

The arrest of the cleric, who has been described as a serial rapist, was carried out by operatives of the NSCDC on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024. The suspect had been under surveillance by the NSCDC following multiple complaints about his illicit activities.

The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in the state, ASC Ayoola Michael, confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect, who is the General Overseer of Divine Land of Joy Prayer Ministry located in Agah village, had sexually assaulted several members of his church. One of the victims, named Joy Godfrey, reported the case to the Gender Unit of the NSCDC on April 3rd, 2024. She revealed the horrifying details of her ordeal, stating that the cleric lured her into an unfamiliar house in the Sango area of Ilorin and sexually assaulted her. He also forced her to swear with the Bible and threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident.

The second victim, whose identity was withheld, disclosed that the suspect had been sexually abusing her since she was sixteen years old. She further revealed that he impregnated her and gave her drugs to induce an abortion, resulting in severe bleeding for several months. The suspect threatened to kill her if she revealed their illicit relationship.

The third victim, also a member of the church, stated that the suspect started sexually abusing her at the age of thirteen. She was unable to report the incidents to her mother due to the suspect's consistent threats of harm and death.

The suspect has confessed to the crimes, attributing them to the influence of the devil. The Kwara NSCDC State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, expressed concern over the heinous acts and ordered a detailed investigation. He emphasized the command's commitment to combating gender-based violence and ensuring that perpetrators face prosecution in accordance with the law.


Thursday, 26 October 2023

RCCG Pastor and Gandhi removed from position as Soun of Ogbomoso by court ruling


An Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has overturned the appointment of the recently selected Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and has ordered a new selection process for the position.

It can be recalled that the Oyo State government declared Pastor Olaoye as the new Soun and crowned him king on September 8, 2023, following the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Agunbiade III, who died in December 2021 after a 48-year reign at the age of 95.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the process, one of the contenders, Kabir Laoye, took legal action against Ghandi Olaoye, arguing that he was not qualified to become the next Soun.

Olaoye, who challenged Ghandi's appointment, stated that there were flaws in the process through which he was chosen.

In his ruling, Justice K.A. Adedokun, who presided over the case, declared the appointment of Oba Laoye as unlawful.

Furthermore, the judge ordered that the correct process be initiated to select a new Soun.

Earlier, Justice Adedokun dismissed three petitions filed by Adeyemi Laoye, who is also contesting the appointment of the new Soun.

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Church pastor takes own life following leaks on WhatsApp group

A pastor, Oscar Mukahanana, tragically ended his life after details of a sexual scandal were exposed on his church's WhatsApp group. Mukahanana, a reverend at the United Methodist Church's Harare East District in Zimbabwe, was involved in an extramarital affair with a female youth from the congregation.
The scandal escalated when an audio recording of Mukahanana engaging in the illicit activity with the woman was leaked and shared on the church's WhatsApp group. In the recording, he expressed his excitement about the encounter and mentioned that it took place before the woman's menstrual cycle.

As news of the scandal spread within the church, members began circulating the leaked conversation and mocking Mukahanana, even creating memes that ridiculed him as the District Superintendent.

Feeling deeply humiliated and embarrassed, Mukahanana was unable to bear the shame and took his own life on Friday.

The UMC Harare District issued a statement in response to the tragic incident, expressing their sorrow: "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the untimely death of our beloved District Superintendent, Rev Oscar Mukahanana of the Harare East District. The Office of the Bishop will communicate further developments and funeral arrangements. We kindly request the church to support the Mukahanana family through prayers during this difficult time."

Sunday, 8 October 2023

Incompatible Paths: Navigating the Christian Heaven and the Rules of Idol Worshipers





Religious beliefs and practices shape the way individuals perceive the afterlife. In this article, we explore the contrasting ideologies of Christianity and idol worshipers, supported by biblical references, to highlight the fundamental differences that make it incompatible to attain the Christian heavens by following the rules of idol worshipers.

Christianity's Singular Path to Heaven:

Christianity, a global faith with millions of followers, advocates a distinct path to salvation and entry into heaven. According to Christian doctrine, salvation is attained through faith in Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provided redemption for their sins, offering a pathway to eternal life in heaven.

Biblical Basis for Exclusive Salvation:

The Bible, the central religious text of Christianity, contains several passages that emphasize the exclusivity of Christ as the way to heaven. In John 14:6, Jesus states, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This verse clarifies that salvation and access to the heavenly realm are only possible through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Prohibition of Idol Worship:

Christianity strongly opposes the worship of idols and the veneration of other deities. The Ten Commandments, foundational principles in Christianity, explicitly forbid idolatry. In Exodus 20:3-5, it is written, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath."

Idol Worship as a Detriment to Christian Faith:

Christianity views idol worship as a deviation from the true worship of God. In Romans 1:25, the apostle Paul criticizes those who "exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator." This verse underscores the importance of worshiping the one true God rather than created beings or idols.

The Incompatibility of Paths:

The stark contrast between Christianity's path to heaven and the rules of idol worshipers lies in their foundational beliefs. Christianity emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting Him as the only way to salvation and eternal life. Idol worshipers, in contrast, engage in rituals and venerate multiple deities or physical representations, which goes against the Christian teachings.

Conclusion:

The teachings of Christianity, rooted in the Bible, emphasize the exclusivity of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and reject the worship of idols or other deities. While individuals are entitled to their religious beliefs, it is crucial to acknowledge the incompatibility between the paths of Christianity and idol worshipers when it comes to attaining the Christian heavens. Christians place their faith in Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity, and it is through Him alone that they believe they can gain access to eternal life in heaven.

Saturday, 16 September 2023

Prophet Under Fire for Impregnating Friend's Wife



The Nation reports that Prophet Oluwaseun Akinnubi, the founder of Christ the Helper Foundation Ministry, has been accused of getting his friend’s wife pregnant. The prophet’s friend, Tunbosun, had offered him his living room to use as a church where he performed deliverance services for people. However, he did not know that his wife would also fall prey to the prophet.

Sources said that the prophet impregnated Tunbosun’s wife while he was staying with them. The shocking revelation came to light when Tunbosun’s elder brother, Moses Akinnuoye, exposed the prophet’s deeds at their father’s house at Mobolade Street, Ore, Odigbo local government area, Ondo State.

According to The Nation, Tunbosun had taken in the prophet when he was homeless, but he ended up losing his wife to him. Tunbosun and his wife had three daughters, but the prophet told him that God had ordained that she should be his wife.

“After getting the woman pregnant, the prophet moved her to another apartment and left her husband’s house,” a source said.

"To our surprise, after mama Precious delivered, we saw her husband going to the prophet’s new place to do laundry for his wife and the new baby.

"A neighbour called Tubosun and told him that the prophet had snatched his wife, but he did not care. Instead, he continued going to the place to wash his wife’s and the baby’s clothes. He also use to clean the house.

“At that point, we knew the prophet had already bewitched Tubosun, because his behaviour was strange. We think he is no longer sane.”

Another neighbour said: "The prophet’s sudden action is evil. Tubosun has not been normal since he welcomed him.

"Some months after he moved in with the couple, people came in large numbers to worship in the church. We were amazed that the man was collecting a bag of rice from each of his members who came for deliverance, while he did not solve their problems.

"Later, I found out that the so-called G.O. was having an affair with Tubosun’s wife, a mother of three girls. I personally warned him about the illicit affairs. But to my shock, he did not believe me.

"Tubosun later discovered and confronted Akinnubi. But the pastor replied him that he and his wife were joined together from heaven.

“After a while, Akinnubi rented another apartment for the woman, while he holds church service everyday at Tubosun’s residence in the morning and night,” he narrated.

Tubosun’s elder brother, Akinnuoye, who confirmed the incident, said he was stunned at the police station when the Prophet claimed ownership of the baby and the pregnancy.

Akinnuoye said, "Four rooms were robbed in the house and I decided to call the police since people were complaining that some persons used to come after others have left for work.

"He was doing church service in my brother’s living room. It was at the police station I started hearing different story. The Pastor claim he is the father of the baby. My brother said he cannot go against God’s will.

“The Pastor told my brother that God told him he cannot marry the woman. When my brother agreed that he heard God’s voice and left his wife for his friend, what can anybody do? I just want the Pastor to remove his things from the House. The Pastor has been released on bail.”

Sunday, 10 September 2023

Anglican Church receives N50m donation from Peter Obi



According to a report by Vanguard on September 9th, 2023, it was noted that during Obi's tenure as governor, his vision was in line with global developmental goals.

Under Obi's leadership, the healthcare sector experienced a complete revitalization. Prior to his tenure, Anambra had no accredited health institutions, but during his tenure, the state gained several, including two accredited hospitals.

Through Obi's collaboration with the church, institutions like Iyienu Hospital in Ogidi, Holy Rosary Hospital in Waterside, Onitsha, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital in Onitsha, and St. Joseph Hospital in Adazi-Nnukwu now have accredited Schools of Nursing, Schools of Midwifery, and Schools of Health Technology, as stated by Okunna.

Additionally, Obi provided significant support for the establishment of the School of Nursing at the Diocesan Hospital of Amichi Anglican Diocese. This support played a role in elevating Iyi-Enu Hospital to a University Teaching Hospital.

Furthermore, Obi's government initiated the construction of Chukwuemeka-Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital from scratch, equipped it, and secured accreditation. His administration also built 10 new maternity and child care facilities in remote areas of the state, and purchased close to 100 ambulances for selected Anambra hospitals.

In addition to that, Obi ensured the rehabilitation of 15 General Hospitals in the three Senatorial Zones of the state and constructed over 120 Primary Health Centres across various communities.

The achievements of Obi's administration were so remarkable that he won the first prize in the Bill and Melinda Gates prize for Polio immunization.

The provost of the school, Mrs. Chisom Ezulike, expressed her gratitude for Obi's kind actions. She humbly mentioned that Obi generously provided her with his contact information, encouraging her to reach out at any time for discussions on the advancements and challenges faced by the institutions.

Saturday, 2 September 2023

Bishop Oyedepo explains the reason behind his fleet of private jets



Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, recently explained why he acquired a fleet of private jets. According to him, the reason behind this is the abundant blessings he believes God has bestowed upon him.

During a sermon at his church, Bishop Oyedepo emphasized that his church is now able to change planes like one would change bicycles, all because of God's blessings. He stated that when God first revealed to him that he would fly, he and his church did not actively pursue it through human efforts.

Bishop Oyedepo further explained that God informed them they would fly, and if they were left to plan for it themselves, it would not have been included in their budget for the next ten years. He attributed their ability to change planes effortlessly to God's blessings, which have made them rich without any accompanying sorrow.

Regarding the acquisition of the private jets, Bishop Oyedepo shared that they did not pray or confess specifically for a particular type of plane. When asked about the type of plane, he responded that any kind would suffice, as he wasn't actively shopping for one.

In addition to discussing the private jets, Bishop Oyedepo addressed the Ark Project and clarified that the church had not announced any offering requirements at their Canaanland or branch locations. He emphasized that despite fluctuations in the dollar-to-naira exchange rate, the project has not faced any financial pressure from external sources.

On the topic of tithes, Bishop Oyedepo highlighted the biblical significance of tithing and mentioned that those who faithfully pay their tithes do not experience lack. He cited the example of John D. Rockefeller, who was a prominent tither and ultimately became the first American billionaire in history. Bishop Oyedepo emphasized that people do not lack what they give, but rather what they choose to keep, and he believes in the principle of tithing as a means of financial sustainability.

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Cult Leader Who Claims To Be Jesus Arrested By Russian Security Forces



A former traffic police officer who
claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus
was arrested today in a special
operation staged by Russian security
agents.
Sergei Torop , who is known to his
followers as Vissarion , was arrested
along with two other leaders of the
group , Vadim Redkin and Vladimir
Vedernikov.
Russia’s investigative committee said
it would charge him with organising
an illegal religious organisation ,
alleging that the cult extorted money
from followers and subjected them to
emotional abuse .

A spokeswoman for Russia’s
Investigations Committee said
that the group is suspected of
“ establishing a religious
association whose activities
involve violence against
individuals and of inflicting
grievous bodily harm to two or
more people .

“ They used the money of [their
followers] and also used
psychological violence against
them, ” she is quoted as saying by
state media.

The 59- year- old cult leader , who lost his job as a traffic officer in 1989,
claimed he experienced an
“ awakening” as the Soviet regime
began to collapse. In 1991 he founded a movement now known as the Church of the Last Testament and has written a ten - volume ‘ sequel to the Bible’.

In 2002, told the Guardian UK : “ I am
not God . And it is a mistake to see
Jesus as God . But I am the living word of God the father. Everything that God wants to say, he says through me ” .
Several thousand followers live in a
series of remote hamlets in the
Krasnoyarsk region in Siberia .
Converts to the cult have included
professionals from across Russia as
well as pilgrims from abroad.
In an interview with the BBC three
years ago , Torop said: “ We have a
school of noble maidens here . We ’re
preparing girls to become future wives , future brides for worthy men .
“ She has to understand not to rise
above the man, not to be proud of her
independence but to be shy,
inconspicuous and weak .”

Torop is reported to have two wives
with six children. Veganism is
enforced and monetary exchange is
banned inside the commune .
Followers wear austere clothing and
count years starting from 1961, the
year of Vissarion ’ s birth , while
Christmas has been replaced by a
feast day on 14 January , his birthday .

Source: guardian.ng

Saturday, 19 September 2020

Two Rivers pastors arrested for raping corps member



The Police in Rivers State have arrested
two pastors for allegedly raping a 27-
year old member of the National
Youths Service Corps .

The corps member is observing her
primary assignment at the Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of the state .
The pastors , identified as Austin
Emmanuel and Peter Davies , are
currently being detained at the State
Criminal and Investigation and
Intelligence Department , Port Harcourt .
Emmanuel reportedly invited the
victim to his house for an indoor
birthday party and in the course of the celebration, he was later joined by
Davies.
It was gathered that the suspects
offered to pray for the victim and in the middle of the prayer , they applied a - yet- to - be - identified liquid on her face which made her unconscious .
Speaking with journalists, the corps
member said she experienced pains in her private parts after regaining
consciousness .

She said, “ Actually , it was after I
regained consciousness that I was
feeling pain in my vagina . I told my
mum and she reported to the police
and they said that they should take me to doctors without borders for checkup.
I found out that I was fingered
according to the report and saw bruises seen all over my body . ”
Meanwhile, parents of the victim, Mr .
and Mrs . Timothy Bonko called on the Rivers State Police Command not to allow the accused persons go scot free to serve as a deterrent to other persons .

The father of the girl said he had
approached the International
Federation of Women Lawyers in the
state to ensure the prosecution of the
case .

Source: punchng.com

Friday, 18 September 2020

Prophet butchers his mother, two of his five children in Anambra

A prophet with Sabbath Church, in Nnewi age 47, popularly known as Prophet Emeka Ezimmadu, on Thursday night butchered his mother and two of his five children to death.
Prophet Ezimmadu as he is popularly known in Nnewi and surrounding communities by members of Sabbath Church was believed to have acted under the influence of evil spirit allegedly sent to him to kill his eighty-five years old mother, Madam Agnes Ezimmadu, his two children Ifechukwu
and Mmesoma aged nine and two respectively without any form of provocation.
According to an eye witness, the damage would have been worse but for the timely intervention of neighbours who engaged the prophet before the arrival of vigilante men who overpowered him and tied him up.
The injured were immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital where the prophet’s mother and two of his children were pronounced dead by doctors on duty.
An eye witness said that doctors are battling to save the lives of the suspect’s wife and two other children, who suffered various degrees of injuries due to Matchette cuts at intensive care unit of the hospital.
Many Nnewi residents have been trooping to the residence of the alleged demented Prophet to see things for themselves.
Meanwhile, the Uruagu vigilante operatives have handed over the suspect to policemen from Central Police Station Nnewi.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Haruna Mohammed who confirmed the incident at the Police WhatsApp platform said Police operatives attached to Nnewi Division have arrested Prophet Ezimadu aged 47 years at Okpuneze Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State.
The suspect attacked and killed two of his children 9 years Ifechukwu Ezimadu, his 2 years old daughter, Mmeso Ezimadu and his own mother, one aged 85 years with a cutlass while they were sleeping.

“Suspect allegedly used same offensive weapon and injured his three other children, Nonso Ezimadu aged 12 years, Chinaemerem Ezimadu aged 11 years and Ngozi Ezimadu aged 8 years of same address.
“Meanwhile, police detectives visited the scene and rushed victims to the Akwudo hospital for medical attention where the two children and the aged mother were certified dead by a medical doctor while the three other children were receiving treatment.
“Corpses deposited at Akwudo hospital morgue for autopsy and case transferred to State CID Awka for discreet investigation.”

Source: vanguardngr.com

The Truth About Mental Health: Breaking Down Stigmas and Building Resilience

Mental health is a topic that has long been shrouded in misconception and stigma, but the tide is finally turning. In recent yea...