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Tag: cleric

  • Cleric demands N5m from police for alleged illegal detention

    A school proprietor, Pastor Ochuko Osusu, has asked the police to pay him N5 million damages for allegedly detaining him illegally.

    He is suing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase at the Federal High Court in Lagos for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

    Osusu, the proprietor of D Glory Top Private Schools, Legasa Phase 11, Lakowe, said he was detained illegally at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti.

    Lagos Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (SCID), and Inspector Solomon Ojo of SCID are the other respondents.

    Through his lawyer Kayode Bankole, the plaintiff is praying the court to declare that his arrest on May 11 and detention till May 19 was in gross violation of his right to dignity of human person, personal liberty and private life.

    He also wants the court to hold that third and fourth respondents violated Section 34, 1 (a) and 44 (1) of the 1999 Constitution by allegedly carting his documents away.

    Osusu is praying for a declaration that the respondents have no right to interfere with his legitimate activities or shut his school.

    He sought an order restraining the respondents from further arresting him or threatening to close down his school, and demanded an apology.

    The applicant was arrested following a complaint that a three-year old girl was defiled in the school.

    He said the police assured him that he would not be prosecuted since he had no direct link to the alleged crime.

    “On the day of the alleged incident, the applicant never saw or had any contact whatsoever with the victim since he was only the administrative head of the school.

    “Moreover, he had just arrived from one week spirit convention of the Nigerian Baptist Convention at Ilorin,” the plaintiff said in a supporting affidavit.

  • Cleric to Wike: shun confrontation

    The Archbishop, Anglican Communion of the Niger Delta North, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey has advised Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike to avoid confrontation with opponents and perceived enemies.

    Kattey’s advice was contained in his presidential address at the 3rd Session of the 7th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North which took place at St Silas Anglican Church, Eneka, Rivers State. He urged the governor “to do all in your power to avoid confrontation and God will raise men and women who will confront those who confront you.”

    The Anglican Archbishop also told the governor that “any form of confrontation will divert your attention and reduce your performance.”

    He further enjoined all and sundry to “join hands together to build Rivers State.”

    While noting that Wike is the governor of the state today, the Cleric also pointed out that it might be the turn of another person tomorrow cautioning that “we should not destroy the state because someone else is the governor.”

    Continuing, Kattey told Wike that  as the father of everybody resident in the state, he should run an all-inclusive government adding that “this is necessary as it will  build bridges and give people a sense of belonging even as it will guarantee greater participation in the State’s Project.”

    The cleric also commended the governor for his zero-tolerance to cultism and secret societies in all educational institutions in the state.

    He said: “Governor Wike has not left anyone in doubt of his administration’s desire to provide quality education and also create employment opportunities for the graduates.

    “He has reintroduced boarding system in some selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and is paying examination fees and materials for the National Examinations Council, and released funds for the accreditation of 17 academic programmes in Rivers State University of Science and technology (RSUST).”

    The cleric also enjoined the Governors of the South-South states to be focused, dynamic and transparent while maintaining their commitment to good governance adding that “the entire peace-loving and good people of the region are praying for them.”

    He cautioned politicians in the South-South region and the rest of the country against acts that might endanger the lives of the people and decried the level of insecurity in the country.

    Kattey, who is also the Bishop, Niger Delta North told politicians that the game of politics must not be played at the detriment of the people who are supposed to benefit from it.

    He also stressed the need for leaders in the various political parties to demonstrate Christian leadership qualities of service, humility and integrity, to give glory to God.

    The theme of the Synod which is: “The second coming of Jesus Christ”, Kattey said is apt in view of the happenings across the globe now, pointing out that the unfolding events across the world must keep Christians at alert as the Lord Jesus Christ may come  at any moment.

    Citing various Biblical prophecies to buttress his point, Kattey said that even as other religions have attested to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

    “When we have heard and understand the truth of Christ’s promised return, we cannot just keep living our lives in the same old way.”

  • Cleric urges Buhari to seek holistic solution for peace

    Cleric urges Buhari to seek holistic solution for peace

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged not to ignore the spiritual perspective to Nigeria’s problems.

    Speaking during a restoration service for peace in Nigeria, held recently at the Celestial Church of Christ, Museyo, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, tagged “Nigeria’s Dream of Change in Spiritual Perspective,” Prophet David Oyekan said the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s general elections was divinely inspired, “because the party’s change agenda was in line with the Creator’s purpose to reshape the destiny of Nigeria”.

    Oyekan, who is the president/founder of a spiritual non-governmental organisation, the Divine Ministry for Inter-Religious Harmony, said the various manifestations of insecurity bedeviling the country is because every segment of the Nigerian society needs overhauling through the injection of spiritual values and that the solution to the problem has been communicated to the Presidency through a letter.

    He said Nigeria is a chosen nation for the redemption of mankind in the end time. His words: “It is worthy of note that God Almighty the Creator of the universe, has ordained this great nation, Nigeria, as a contact point for His work of redemption to save the whole world at this end time.”

    The success of this spiritual mission, he noted, will depend on how the country manages its unity. He added: “The architectural structures of the new Nigeria must be laid on spiritual foundation, because without God nothing can be done successfully.

    “Therefore, the essence of this new Nigeria is for the nation to be an initiator of new ideas, new practice and new system of government that does not exist anywhere in the committee of nations.”

     

  • Cleric berates politicians for broken promises

    The Spiritual leader of Anu-Oluwapo Cherubim & Seraphim Adewale Babalola has advised political office holders to stop breaking the oath of office they sworn before God and man.

    He spoke at the annual celebration of Ark of Covenant in his church at Nkpor Village in Obio/Akpor Local government area of Rivers State.

    Babalola accused most office holders of not living by the Oath they swore to.

    The cleric said it amounts to sin to swear with Bible and Quran without keeping the obligations.

    According to him: “Our leaders do not fear God. They are yet to realise that the world they are today is a market place.

    “How can one swore with the Bible and fail to honour it? That person is playing with fire. That is the reason we are suffering today because our leaders feel less concerned about the Oath they took.

    “We must learn to honour the ark of God; those who honour the ark of God receive the reward of absolute obedience.

    “That is why I am confident that the country will get better under President Buhari because he has taken a part of honour by respecting his creator.”

     

  • Kidnapped Cleric found dead in Kaduna bush 

    President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and two other clergy men who were abducted along Kaduna-Abuja Express way by armed gun men have regained their freedom after ten days in captivity.

    Meanwhile, one of them, Rev. Iliya Anto was found dead in the bush. He was said to have died after he was left in the bush by the kidnappers following his health condition.

    Dziggau, Rev. Yakubu Dzarma and Rev.Iliya Anto were abducted on March 21 along the Kaduna-Abuja Express Way where they had gone to clear a piece of land for the foundation of the church seminary.

    A top official of United Church of Christ who pleaded anonymity said on Thursday, Dziggau and  Dzarma were freed on Wednesday in the night while the corpses of Rev. Anto was found, almost decomposing in the bush.

    According to him, the two clergy men were immediately taken to a private hospital in Kaduna after they were brought to the church along Katsina Road, Kaduna.

    “They were not looking too good and as soon as they brought them, a decision was taken that they needed to see a Doctor, so they were taken to a private hospital in Kaduna for medical check-up, but I will not tell you the hospital because they need some rest.

    “We don’t want people to disturb them until they are psychologically and physically fit to see people” the source explained.

    According to him, “they person who went to collect them drove them on a bike from where they dropped them for four hours before they could reach a motorable road. This is very traumatic and they need some rest.”

    The source team explained that Anto’s corpse was found in the bush after he was abandoned by the kidnappers because of his ill health.

    According to him, a day after their abduction, the kidnappers had called to inform that Anto was not well and they had dropped him at a location in the bush.

    “But when dispatched people to the location to carry him, we couldn’t get him after combing the area. The kidnappers who may have been watching us from their hideout said we sent too many people to pick him, so they refused to give further description of the location and we thought they must have gone with him,” he said.

    The source however declined to say whether a ransom was paid for the release of the two clergy men.

    Meanwhile hundreds of church members and well wishers have continued trooped to the church at Katsina road to see their leaders.

     

  • Cleric to Buhari: recover all looted funds

    Cleric to Buhari: recover all looted funds

    The Federal Government has been urged to fulfil its pledge of recovering stolen funds from past public office holders and other influential Nigerians.

    The Bishop of Owo Diocese, Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rev. Solomon Adegbite, who gave the advice at the Bishops’ Synod held in Ondo State,  advocated amnesty for those who returned their loots on their own volition.

    Delivering his address at the 28th Synod of the Diocese held at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Oke-Owo, Ondo State, he said the nation’s laws should be curative/transformative rather than punitive.

    Rev. Adegbite called for quick dispensation of justice, stressing that the case of suspects awaiting trials for years was not a good development.

    The church leader praised the efforts of the Federal Government in diversifying the economy, stressing that the moves should be followed up with action rather than rhetoric.

    He also praised the Federal Government for granting the bailout funds to majority of the states, describing it as laudable, even as he urged benefiting states to ensure the money is used for the purpose it was meant.

    While calling on political office holders to imbibe the culture of prudent management of resources, Rev. Adegbite condemned the spate at which herdsmen attack innocent citizens in virtually all the states of the federation.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the ongoing anti-corruption crusade devoid of witch-hunting of perceived political opponents, saying the campaign should not be selective.

    The Bishop advised the present administration to ensure equity and fairness in all its dealings, adding that the secular nature of Nigeria should be respected.

    Delegates for the Synod came from various circuits, sections and special areas within Owo Diocese. Bishop Adegbite presided over the Synod.

     

  • Cleric to Buhari: recover all stolen funds

    The Bishop of Owo Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev Solomon Adegbite, has urged the Federal Government to fulfill its pledge of recovering  stolen funds from public office holders and other influential Nigerians.

    Besides, the cleric advocated that those returning their stolen funds freely should be granted amnesty, while others caught by the law should be prosecuted.

    The bishop, who spoke while delivering his address at the 28th Synod of the Diocese held at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Oke-Owo, Ondo State, said administration of justice should also be targeted toward curative/transformative rather than punitive.

    Adegbite also called for quick dispensation of justice, adding that the case of suspects awaiting trials for years was not a good development.

    The church leader lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in diversifying the economy, stressing that the moves should be followed up with cogent action rather than theoretical.

    He praised the Federal Government for granting bailout funds to states, describing it as laudable, but urged benefiting states to ensure the money is used judiciously.

    Adegbite condemned the increase spate of herdsmen attacks. He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the on-going anti-corruption crusade devoid of witch-hunting perceived political opponents.

    The Bishop urged the present administration to ensure equity and fairness in all its dealings, adding that the nation’s secular nature should be respected.

  • Islamic cleric jailed for N340,000 scam

    An Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has sentenced a self-styled Islamic cleric, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahamido, 47, to one year imprisonment for obtaining N340,000 from a woman under false pretence.

    The court also ordered him to return N240,000 to Sarah Moses after pleading guilty to the charge.

    He was arraigned on February 23 alongside his alleged girlfriend, Hawa Musa, 35, who pleaded not guilty. She was granted N100,000 bail by Magistrate J.O.A. Adepoju, with two sureties in the like sum. Hawa is expected back in court today.

    Before he was convicted last Wednesday, Ahamido tried to change his plea to not guilty. He claimed he did not understand the charge that was read to him on February 23.

    But, prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji objected, saying: “Not only did the defendant admit the facts, he stated that out of the N340,000 defrauded, he gave N100,000 to the second defendant, his girlfriend. This he admitted orally. He also admitted that the statement he made was his.

    “It is too late in the day for him to change his plea as he has already admitted both before the court and in his confessional statement. It is also too late for him to retract his statement.”

    Magistrate Adepoju upheld Osuji’s submission and sentenced Ahamido.

    Last February 22, at Marwa Waterside, Lekki, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Ahamido cajoled Moses that he had supernatural ability to multiply her money.

    She initially doubted him but believed him after her son, who was in police custody, was freed after Ahamido prepared a concoction for her.

    She then handed over N340, 000 to Ahamido, who promised to boost her business by turning the money to N5 million. He told her to check under her pillow on her return from a trip abroad, that the object placed there would have become N5 million.

    When that didn’t work, he obtained another N9,000 from her for the same purpose but that failed too and he absconded with the cash, after allegedly giving Hawa N100,000.

    Ahamido and his girlfriend were arrested after she reported to the police.

  • Leave positive legacies, cleric tell politicians

    The Acting Chairman of Conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Rev. Victor Philip, has advised political leaders to live right and work towards leaving positive legacies.

    He spoke last Thursday in Uyo while announcing the death and burial ceremony of the immediate past chairman of conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Late Rev. Sunday Essien.

    The Acting Conference Chairman noted that death was no respecter of persons and advised all human beings to prepare ahead of time for their exit by worshipping God and leading good lives.

    He regretted that some persons were living as if they were not accountable to the creator and would not die.

    “My advice to everyone created by God is that he should be prepared ahead of time because death will come one day,” Philip said.

    The cleric announced that his predecessor, Late Rev. Sunday Essien died on Nov. 8, 2015 at 67.

    The Acting Conference Chairman said that the deceased would be buried on March 11, 2016 in his home town, Ikot Akpan Ukam in Mkpat Enin local government area.

    The cleric described the deceased as a gifted preacher, a pastor by God’s grace, a Bible teacher, a great evangelist and a choirmaster.

    “As a daring Christian explorer, he accepted the challenge to serve as a missionary in Bassa field, Nassarawa State in spite of the obvious difficulties associated with ministry work there.

    “As a man committed to hard work, perseverance, and love, he worked progressively and ardently in the church ministry,” Philip said.

    Philip listed some areas that the deceased had done pastoral work to include Abuja, Port Harcourt, Rumumasi, Toto Kanyeho, Bassa, Mbioto and the National Headquarters of Qua Iboe Church, Uyo.

  • Cleric tasks churches on building stronger families

    The Senior Pastor of the Chapel of His Glory headquartered in Ado Ekiti, Reverend Kunle Salami, has stressed the importance of family stability and development in human life.

    Salami, a former state Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), at the annual Family Life Conference of the church, said stronger families will contribute to the nation’s development.

    He noted that the church must be awake to its responsibilities to tackle moral decadence in the society, which has led to collapse of marriages and increase in criminal activities in the country.

    Speaking on the significance of the Family Life Conference, Salami said the programme was a divine inspiration to build a family that will entrench the fear of God and fulfil its divine mandate.

    According to him: “We believe that the family unit is very important; everybody comes from one family or the other and if the family is weak, the society will be weak.

    “If the society is weak, the nation would be weak, the state would be weak, the local government would be weak. Our vision on Family Life Conference is to make families stronger.”

    Speaking on the impact of the programme, Salami said: “Families of those people that attend the programme have been stronger.  We talk about things that affect family life, we talk about sex, family life, career, discipline children.

    “Appropriately, we talk about parenting, different aspects of family life. We don’t want to over spiritualise the family”.

    The cleric also advised Christians not to shy away from politics but participate actively to bring about positive change in the country.

    He said: “If Christians do not join politics, politics will never be plain. In the early 80s many people didn’t join the civil service because it was seen as part of the most corrupt sectors.

    “But when Christians joined the civil service, they were able to make their impacts. I believe that Christians should go into politics, but I don’t believe that a pastor should abandon his callings and go into politics.

    “Many of them that go into politics didn’t go to serve. They talked about dividends of democracy but the dividends are in their pockets not in the hands of masses.”