By Chris Chikelue
The Government of Anambra State has arraigned eight pastors before the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka on Friday, June 5 on charges of using hired actors to stage fake miracles so as to deceive members of the public and obtaining money from them.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke led the prosecution.
The pastors charged are Ndubisi Nnachukwu of Omega Dominion Ministry, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu of Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry, and Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa of Chapel of Faith Ministry.
Others are, Peter Chukwu of Messiah Adoration Ministry, Chinedu Egwuonwu of Citadel of Grace Ministry, Ebele Nnachukwu of Jehovah the Mighty Than All Ministry, Miracle Iruoma of City of Power Ministry, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama of Land of Testimony Adoration Ministry.
They face charges of wielding fake supernatural powers and using a religious place of worship for the commission of a crime under Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, as well as obtaining by false pretence under Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
Some of the pastors were also charged alongside agents they allegedly used to recruit individuals who were paid to pretend they had been healed or delivered during church services.
The clerics were remanded in a correctional centre after the arraignment, and their plead of not guilty with the matter adjourned to June 15 for hearing and determination of any bail applications.
The proof of evidence filed by the prosecution included video-recorded confessional statements from the pastors, with a flash drive attached to the case files.
Attorney General Nweke confirmed that the confessions form a central part of the state’s evidence and said the prosecutions are part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s broader campaign to end the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians through deception.
Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
