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Tag: Assemblies of |God

  • Assemblies of God to recover property after supreme court victory

    With the relief of a Supreme Court judgement, the Assemblies of God Nigeria is now pushing to recover every property occupied by members of the church loyal to former leader Rev Paul Emeka who has lost his case at the apex court.

    After a protracted legal tussle over the leadership of the church between Rev Chidi Okoroafor and Emeka, the Supreme Court last week delivered judgement in favour of Okoroafor as the authentic General Superintendent of the church.

    The court as well affirmed the earlier suspension of Emeka as the General Superintendent of the Church by the committee.

    Addressing journalists at the International Conference Centre, Assemblies of God Nigeria Evangel Camp Okpoto, Ebonyi State, Rev.  Okoroafor said the church would not watch while illegal occupants mess up its structures.

    Present at the briefing were all the 19 members of the church’s General Executive Committee.

    Among them were the Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Pastor Ejikeme Ejim, General Secretary, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh, and General Treasurer, Rev. Vincent Alaje, as well as all the zonal heads of the church across the country.

    Okoroafor called on the pastors and the members who stood with Emeka while the matter was on to return with genuine repentance before it is late.

    His speech read: “Blessed be the God of the founding fathers of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. He is a prayer answering God; He is a great God. He has demonstrated that He is the owner of the church. He has shown himself great and wonderful.ý

    “In the first place, Assemblies of God Nigeria by biblical standards and our Constitution should not have gone to court to settle an internal matter. However, ethics demands that when one takes you to court you must necessarily answer to show your regards for this quintessential arm of government, the judiciary. This is exactly what happened.

    “When our former leader, Rev. Paul Emeka, unfortunately took the church to court instead of resorting to our internal administrative set up capable of resolving any issues, the church responded accordingly.

    “As our legal men were still on preliminary objections, His Lordship, the judge of the court of first instance (Enugu High Court) delivered a surprise judgement granting him his prayers. We appealed the judgement to the Enugu division of the Federal Court of Appeal. We resorted to intensive prayers to the God of our founding fathers, who used the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement to set aside the judgement of the High Court and upheld the decision of the General Committee of the Church of 6th March, 2014. Rev. Emeka was not satisfied with the judgement of the Court of Appeal and he appealed the judgement to the apex court (Supreme Court) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The same God of our past victory did it again and on Friday February 24th, the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja dismissed his appeal and upheld the judgement of the Appeal Court which had upheld the decision of the church which dismissed her former General Superintendent, Rev Dr Paul Emeka.

    “We are aware that few of our pastors and members unfortunately decided to pitch their tent with an individual instead of the church. Some may have been deceived into such costly mistake. Some even claimed to remain neutral awaiting the Supreme Court judgement. Today, on behalf of the leadership of Assemblies of God Nigeria, we extend a generous olive branch to every genuine repentant fellow. The Executive Committee has set up a platform for the returnees to access. We are very open. It is not about victors or losers. It’s about Assemblies of God Nigeria and the mission God handed over to us which must be accomplished without further distractions.

    “Be that as it may, the Assemblies of God Nigeria is an incorporated church. Anyone that would not align with AG Nigeria should vacate Assemblies of God premises and property immediately.

    “Similarly, the general public, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the three tiers of government and all banks, are hereby notified that:

    1. Assemblies of God Nigeria is not divided.
    2. She has only elected Executive Committee.
    3. One leadership comprising one General Superintendent, Rev. Chidi Okoroafor, an Assistant General Superintendent, Rev Pastor Ejikeme Ejim, a General Secretary, Rev. Dr Godwin Amaowoh and a General Treasurer, Rev. Vincent Alaje.

    “We appreciate the world Assemblies of God Fellowship (AGF), African Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA), our legal team, various pastors and members from all the units of Assemblies of God Nigeria for their efforts, concerns and prayers. We appreciate some denominational leaders who stood by the church. We further express our confidence on the Nigerian judiciary under the influence of the fear of God.

    God bless you.”

    Meanwhile, the secretariat of the church has been taken over by armed policemen pending the interpretation of the judgment by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police.

  • ‘Let’s build Assemblies of God together’

    The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Rev Chidi Okoroafor, has extended a “hand of fellowship” to his rival, Rev. Paul Emeka, who was sacked by the Supreme Court.

    The two had been locked in a protracted legal tussle but   Emeka’s claim to the seat finally ended on Friday, following the judgment.

    The Supreme Ccourt ratified his suspension on the grounds that the position of the general superintendent was not covered under the rights section of the constitution.

    Speaking for the first time after the verdict, Okoroafor said the church would have no problem forgiving the pastors who fought against it.

    Okoroafor spoke on arrival from South Africa where he attended the meeting of Assemblies of God Alliance, made up of general superintendents of AG from about 50 nations in Africa.

    He attributed the judgment to God who he said owns the glory.

    “We also appreciate our legal team and members.

    “In the coming days, the leadership of the church will be meeting to look at the judgment and roll out the next plan.

    “I speak on their behalf, it’s not about victor or vanquished, it’s about the church. It’s about the church and not about who won.

    “Satan came to distract us from our focus and vision. The Lord has given knock to the distraction and we are moving forward.”

  • Supreme Court upholds sack of Assemblies of God leader Rev Emeka

    Supreme Court upholds sack of Assemblies of God leader Rev Emeka

    The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the sack of the General Overseer of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Paul Emeka, for violating the church’s rules.

    The court, in a unanimous judgment dismissed the appeal filed by Emeka against an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which equally upheld his sack.

    Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court has effectively laid to rest the about three-year leadership crisis in the church, ignited by the suspension of Emeka by the church’s General Council on March 6, 2014.

    The council held that Emeka violated several sections of the church’s constitution and bye laws, particularly, Article 12, which deals with taking or using any other person to initiate proceedings against the church in court for any reason.

    It noted that Emeka failed to exhaust the church’s internal mechanism for dispute resolution, as stipulated in its rules.

    The church’s council’s letter conveying Emeka’s suspension was signed by Rev. Dr. John Ikoni (General Secretary); Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor (Acting General Superintendent and Rev. Dr. Vincent Alaje (General Treasurer).

    The church also accused the former General Superintendent of being autocratic; involving in financial mismanagement, engaging in abuse of power and “above all took the church to court, an act tantamount to tarnishing the image of the church and bringing it to public ridicule.”

    Emeka’s challenge of the church’s council’s decision ended with the Supreme Court’s judgment yesterday.

    Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in the lead judgment, upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division, to the effect that Emeka’s suspension and dismissal were in order.

    On Emeka’s claim that he was not accorded fair hearing by the church’s council, as guaranteed under the Constitution, Justice Kekere-Ekun held that there was remedy under Chapter 4 of the Constitution if indeed his right to fair hearing was violated.

    The judge said the provisions of Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, on which the appellant hinged his appeal, was limited to proceeding in law courts, but not proceedings emanating from domestic meetings and standing adhoc tribunals.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun held that the right to be a member of a church was not a right recognized under Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

     The judge noted that there was no proper proof of service on the respondents by the appellant. She proceeded to set aside the service of court processes on the respondents and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

     

  • Assemblies of God hosts four-day convention

    Members of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Badagry District, Lagos, have concluded plans to hold this year’s edition of its annual convention.

    The four-day event tagged: ‘Season of Divine Restoration’ holds from Thursday, October 20th-Sunday, October 23rd, at the Evangel College, Okokomaika, Lagos.

    Addressing newsmen on Saturday at the church’s auditorium, the chairman of the eight-man organising committee, Rev. Okechukwu Solomon said this year’s event promises to be impactful as members and prospective attendees would gain spiritual, mental, socio-economic benefits, among others.

    The convention will play host to over 100 churches, which make up Badagry District, he said.

    Also speaking on the planned convention, Rev. Dr. John Ikpe, Assistant District Superintendent/Senior Pastor, A.G.C, Ojo Mega Church, said the convention wil help restore members and non members alike back to God.

     

     

    “The theme of the convention implies that something is missing already from the lives of our members hence we hope to restore things back to normal, spiritually, materially and otherwise

     

  • ‘Assemblies of God Church may not be the same again’

    ‘Assemblies of God Church may not be the same again’

    There have been many stories coming out of the Assemblies of God (Nigeria), very unbecoming news about the house of God. The embattled General Superintendent of the church, Professor (Reverend) Paul Emeka, during a recent visit to Warri, had an exclusive interview with BOLAJI OGUNDELE and threw more light on the crisis rocking the church. Excerpts:

    Do you think the Assemblies of God Church can remain the same again after this experience?

    Well, I think it should rather be, is it possible that we will come back again? To that, I say it is possible that we will still come back, but asking whether it will be the same or not, I will say yes and no. Yes, in the sense that we will come together because we are not going to change the doctrine of the Assemblies of God. No, in the sense that relationship that has been battered, it will take a long time for us to mend it and so we will not pretend about it. Assemblies of God cannot remain the same for a long time before we are able to put things in order.

    In some opinions, the church may continue to remain divided along ethnic and regional lines. Do you think this might be true?

    Well, some people intended it to be so but things are happening now that people across the tribes recognise the truth. There are people who noticed and they don’t care if their brother is holding falsehood, they will leave that their brother and go to stand with the person who holds the truth. To an extent, there are people who understand this but there are people who actually have understood that they should identify with the truth no matter the tribe they are coming from. For example, I am an Ibo man but here is Niger Delta and I tell you I draw the greatest support from these people. Also just like the man speaking has said in August, the 19 states in the north including the Middle Belt, the elders of the Assemblies of God gathered together in Jos and stood up to say that they are following and identify with the Assemblies of God under the leadership of Paul Emeka. The people are northerners and they don’t care where they are coming from, provided the truth is maintained.

    What exactly do you think is at the root of the crisis in the church?

    Well, it may not be one thing. Some people want position, some people have inordinate ambition for positions, others are greedy. They want to take advantage of their position to make money and when they feel that someone is blocking them, they want to kick me away. Somebody is happy if I am out that he will now come to take my position. Somebody is equally doing it because of envy. For example, somebody is saying openly that he stayed there for a very long time and did what he did, but I have come there and I have not stayed up to three years and I am doing so many things. Which means by the time I stay there for five years, nobody will remember him. But that is not my purpose; my purpose is not to forget anybody but just doing something I feel should be done. We should be able to somehow remain faithful to God and be ourselves and recognise the very fact that soldier go, soldier come. It is good for a man to know when it is time for him to quit. Let me say this also, that this godfatherism seems to be very inherent in the blood of Nigerians. Somebody lives and goes away, he will still wants to be controlling the system. That should be done away with, especially in the Church of God.

    What did you mean when you said those brewing the crisis are the thieves of the church, but not the church?

    I will expatiate because the constitution of the Bible outlines what is in the church, how things should be done, how you will call a meeting, how a meeting should be called, how to call a general committee. But there are certain people just because they called the name of Jesus, rose up and came to intimidate people just because of their age and numbers following a different thing that is not what the constitution says. In that case, we say this is not the Church, they are like players, children coming to the field of the Church and playing and mistakenly regarding themselves as the Church.

    Why do you think tussle for offices in the Assemblies of God Church gets this contentious, to the extent that supposed men of God employ all sorts of means, including diabolical and fatal resorts?

    The people who say that are correct; for a very long time this class of people have been doing it and getting away with it. They came this time and couldn’t get away with it. I think it is good to stop them and here are the group known as Ambassadors. Ambassadors that was initiated by my predecessor, we never knew was creating an extension of him so that with these people he will be controlling when he wants. So it started playing out, it did not start today; he has continued. But I must let you know the reason a thing like this continues in Nigeria and the Church inclusive, is that nobody has ever challenged it. When they do it, they will say for the sake of peace leave them and they go, they will come again. But to me, I say what is peace without justice? There must be justice before you have peace. You can’t see people who deliberately have stood up to steal the Church, to destroy the Church and you allow them and you allow them to take it for peace. They cannot, can you leave your business for a thief for the sake of peace? You must say no, especially in the business of God. So, these people have come to do that evil and we say no, we cannot allow that evil to thrive.

    Some have said this current crisis generated from conflicting pecuniary interests; you have yours and they have theirs. Is this true?

    I will say that would have been true if I was not legitimately voted in. Assemblies of God has a system and in that system every four (4) years they go for a general council election. I did not campaign. I was not the highest and biggest among the populace but what happened was that they elevated me, it was not a joke. The man following me scored 784 votes and I scored 4,075 votes to become what I am. I did not come here because I need money and again if you look at my records, you discover that though everybody uses money but I don’t pounce upon the money of the Church. So the person that says it is pecuniary interest is not correct, because, for me, I don’t agree with that. If I chose it because of money, it will really be the same. What is causing problem is that I have not allowed them to steal as much as they like, that is the truth. I know that all human beings are selfish by nature but as far as this matter is concerned it is not the interest of money that is keeping me to fight for it, not at all.

    How did you feel when you got to know you had been sued to a Sharia Court by some of your brethren?

    I did not feel too much surprised because of the antecedents of my opponents. They are very desperate people; they can go to any length to get it. So going to Sharia is just in the list of their plans. I felt that was abnormal anyway, but seeing the desperation in them, I wasn’t too surprised that they did it; it’s abnormal, it’s bad, it’s ungodly quite well because you want to get something that is just what I am saying. This book belongs to you, you paid for it or constitutionally you got it, it does not belong to me. If I rise up to struggle to get it, you cannot say I am struggling for it because of money; already it is for you, but me that is coming to take it from you because of money. So they are using every means to take it but they cannot get it.

    What did you mean when you said you did not plan to entirely stop them from stealing from the church, why stop them partially?

    That is a way. That is proverbial, proverbial in the sense that corruption in Nigeria cannot be removed completely and not even in the Church. Milly Graham said there is no perfect Church, that anytime you see a perfect Church and you join it, it automatically makes it imperfect that you are not perfect. Assemblies of God are not perfect and we know all this. Here and there people steal. Well, if you are stealing, stealing should be done secretly, when you come openly to do it, what you are trying to do is to legitimise it by making everybody believe is the right thing. If for example, I see you take my thing, you took it secretly I will begin a process of finding out but at least I know you recognise that this is evil that you are hiding it from me but when you take it boldly in my presence and put it in your pocket and use it as if it is yours; it is robbery, it’s no longer stealing and so it is a way of saying it is proverbial. My statement is proverbial.

    What is going on in the church-owned bank?

    Something is wrong whatever you can call it, you call it. But if I may not use the word thief or whatever I describe it for you to assess it yourself. Here, you open a business for 16 years and it has not yielded anything. What will you call the manager you entrusted it into his hands? No checking because my predecessor committed it into somebody’s hand to man and that is exactly what the AGS is saying when you begin to settle people, you give bank to somebody, give AGSBN to somebody. Why should you do it like that? There should be checks and balances. If you entrusted it into my hands as an individual a business worth 300 million, no amount of trust you have in me should make you leave me to do the thing, there must be checks and balances and now you have left it for me as a good Christian, a preacher for that matter. And for 16 years, I have not brought any returns and I am living well. What do you think it is? I am not the person saying he is a thief.

     

  • Assemblies of God Church pastor accused of forgery

    The Assemblies of God Church has filed a criminal complaint at an Upper Area Court of the Federal Capital Territory against a former Board of Trustees member of the church for alleged forgery.

    The church claimed in the complaint filed on its behalf by Ifeanyichukwu Obasi-Nweze that Rev Paul Emeka forged a certificate from the University of Derby, Derbyshire, England.

    Emeka, the church added, was appointed a trustee based on that claim.

    The church said that following an internal investigation the university was contacted about Emeka’s claim only for it to say that its Conferment Committee Archives has no record of any such person.

    Emeka was subsequently fired as a member of the board and the matter reported to the police.

    He is expected to be arraigned in court on Tuesday.

    A letter from the court to the office of the Inspector-General of Police, signed by the Registrar of the court reads in part, “I am directed by the judge of the above named Court to write to your office and request for the police investigation report from the above mentioned matter that was complained to your office by the above named complainant that is now undergoing an investigation by your office.”

  • Mighty outpouring at Assemblies of God camp meeting

    Mighty outpouring at Assemblies of God camp meeting

    The fire of revival fell upon thousands at the 12th edition of the annual convocation of the Assemblies of God Church tagged Peniel last week.

    The convocation with the theme season of great awakening attracted participants from the 117 districts and areas of the church.

    Venue was the church’s International Conference Centre in Okopto, Ebonyi State.

    Teaching on topics such as “Empty Me Oh! Lord!”; “Back to ancient love”; “Havocs of dead conscience”; “The sleeping army”; “Manifestations of hidden prophets”; “Provoking the King”; “Purity and power” and “Hope for the hopeless” reignited the passion for old religion among the participants.

    The general superintendent, Rev (Dr) Chidi Okoroafor, emphasised the needs for Christians to return to the basics.

    He lamented the practice of Christianity without holiness and power, saying the development was an anathema.

    Other speakers such as the Assistant General Superintendent, Rev Ejikeme Ejim; General Secretary, Rev Dr Godwin Amaowoh and General Treasurer, Rev (Dr) Vincent Alaje said old time religion was the way to go.

    With foreign guest speakers such as Rev Patrick Hurst and Rev. Scot Erickson, they urged the participants to surrender their all to God for divine manifestations.

    Renowned evangelist, Dr Uma Ukpai, ministered on the last night of the convocation with many testimonies of healing and miracles.

    Governor David Umahi, who led Ebonyi State delegation to the convocation, praised the church for its resilience in the face of ongoing crisis.

    He prayed for quick reconciliation within the church to be able to do more for God and the state.

    Umahi, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Kelechi Igwe, assured the church of unflinching support for its community-based projects.

    Okoroafor thanked the Ebonyi State for making available the vast expanse of lands for take-off of Evangel University.

    He noted that the physical and spiritual development brought by the presence of the Church to the community has impacted many lives.

    The delegates left the convocation reinvigorated to pursue revival and change in their immediate environments.

  • No fraud in Assemblies of God, says Okoroafor

    No fraud in Assemblies of God, says Okoroafor

    THE General Council, Assemblies of God Nigeria, yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability.

    It assured members of judicious utilisation of human and financial resources as well as conscientiousness in the running of its affairs.

    The church’s General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, urged members as well as stakeholders to discountenance a report alleging fraudulent conversion of funds by some church’s officials.

    Okoroafor, in a statement, said there was no truth in the report, saying agents bent on destroying the achievements by the church fabricated it.

    He said: “The allegation is baseless and without merit as the audited church account by an external auditor was presented at the 35th Council meeting and ratified by the Council -in -Session.

    “The entire church and members know that there can’t be embezzlement and that misappropriation of fund has no place among us.

    “We are credible and God-fearing. We run the church’s affairs with utmost transparency and handle resources with biblical scrutiny.

    “Those who are after the church’s downfall are responsible for the lies in the media. We remain open to scrutiny by members and the council.”

    Okoroafor urged members not to entertain fears about activities of those who were recently excommunicated, saying the leadership will “protect the well-being of the flock of God with everything possible.

     

  • Assemblies of God: Faction heads to Supreme Court

    Assemblies of God: Faction heads to Supreme Court

    Despite the Court of Appeal ruling sacking Prof. Paul Emeka as General Overseer of the Assemblies of God Church and affirming Dr. Chidi Okoroafor in his place, the leadership tussle in the church persists. A convention of the church stakeholders in Enugu not only rejected the Appeal Court ruling but headed to the Supreme Court.

    Prof. Emeka made it clear to the convention that the claim by the Chidi Okoroafor faction that the court sacked him and ordered the instatement of Dr. Chidi Okoroafor in his place was not included in the Appeal Court ruling.

    “There was no declarative order in the judgment. They just concocted those claims and gave to the press to publish,” Emeka told the stakeholders while distributing copies of the judgment to the stakeholders.

    •Rev. Paul Emeka
    •Rev. Paul Emeka

    Prof Emeka who said he was “as sure as the prophets” expressed optimism that in the long run the truth shall prevail.

    He said: “I am sure that justice will be obtained from the Supreme Court. Even if we lose at the Supreme Court that will not mean that we are not right. We will continue the struggle. What is right is right no matter how the courts interpret it.”

    Emeka insisted that the cause he and his faction were pursuing was not only a spiritual cause, but also just and evangelical, adding that the one chosen by God would be victorious and not the court’s decision.

    “We are in court because we are clearly dealing with people who are desperate. We are occupying where we are today because they know that there is no declarative order by the court asking us to vacate here. We are not leaving here because our sojourn here is God’s own making,” said Emeka, amidst applause from the members who filled the church hall.

    The church lawyers from different parts of the country were also present at the convention. One of them, Rev. Ben Chinedu Kalu who is also the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the church told reporters that the church rushed to the Supreme Court not to pre-empt the takeover of the headquarters of the church but to redress the issues taken to the Appeal Court.

    According to him, the Okoroafor-led group “concocted things that were not in the ruling and that are why we are rushing to the Supreme Court for it to clear them. They raised technical issues. The era of technicalities has gone. We are in the era of substantial justice. They raised about six issues, (1) whether they are properly served or not, (2) whether the case is an abuse of court or not, (3) whether the removal of Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka was in order or not, (4) whether the matter is a fundamental rights issue or not, (5) whether the abridge of time was in line with the rules of court or not.

    “These are the issues they raised but the hallmark of the whole issue is whether Paul Emeka in line with the Constitution of the Assemblies of God was properly treated. That is the major issue. The constitution of the Assemblies of God of Nigeria said that you will bring a signed request to the General Superintendent assuming if he refused to appear. But in this case, our agitation is that those men that formed the general committee are the same petitioners and a petitioner cannot be a judge.

    “There is no declaration by the Appeal Court. What you saw in the newspapers and what you saw on facebook are all concocted. We are dealing with people that can manipulate facts, that can take laws into their hands. Immediately the judgment came out they concocted some declarations on their own which cannot be found in the Court of Appeal ruling. And so because we don’t want them to harass our churches, invade our churches forcefully, we decided to go to the Supreme Court.”

     

  • Assemblies of God gets 650 new reverends

    Assemblies of God gets 650 new reverends

    •Sets for great awakening

    After serving for a minimum of eleven years on full time, 650 pastors of the Assemblies of God Nigeria have been ordained as reverend ministers.

    The ordained ministers also passed the prescribed examination and screening exercises in accordance with the tradition of the church.

    Among them were 596 men and 54 women.

    They were ordained at the international conference centre of the church, Evangel Camp, in Okpoto, Ebonyi State before national and regional leaders during a 3-day annual leadership retreat with the theme championing the great awakening.

    Conducting the ordination service, the general superintendent of the church, Rev (Dr) Chidi Okoroafor, assured that the event will lead to a great change in their ministries.

    He urged them to focus and depend on God and eschew mundane attractions.

    Assisted by all serving and retired executive committee members, Okoroafor performed the sacred consecration.

    The ordination was preceded by the retreat during which the church leaders received fresh auction to function for the next one year.

    The general superintendent said the church will be pursuing a seven-point agenda covering spiritual emphasis, infrastructural development and human capital development for 2015.

    He challenged them to position themselves for divine guidance so that the church can witness a great awakening.

    There was also the general committee meeting during which the leaders took far-reaching resolutions on the church.