The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Evangelist

  • Evangelist arraigned for alleged N4.6m fraud

    An evangelist, who allegedly obtained N4.6 million under false pretense, was yesterday granted N500,000 bail by an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The accused, 52-year-old Michael Adebayo, is being tried on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu, who granted the accused bail at N500,000, ordered him to produce two sureties each, and adjourned the case till June 7 for further hearing.

    Prosecutor Jimah Iseghede told the court the accused committed the alleged offences in January, at Bogiye Ibeju-Lekki.

    He alleged the accused obtained N4.6 million from Mrs. Amaka Aliegwu on the pretence of investing the money in wood business.

    Iseghede alleged the accused neither invested the money nor returned it to the complainant, but instead threatened her.

    He said the offences contravened sections 270, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • CAC’s General Evangelist Abiara loses wife

    CAC’s General Evangelist Abiara loses wife

    The wife of the General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara, is dead.

    Prophetess Christiana died on Saturday night at the age of 70.

    A statement issued on behalf of the church by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ademisoye Alawode, reads: “The authorities of Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, have announced the passing unto glory of Evangelist (Mrs.) Christianah Aduke Abiara, wife of the General Evangelist of the Church, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara. The sad event took place at 9p.m. on Saturday, September 2, after the family’s night prayer. She was aged 70 years old.

    “The church’s President, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun and other principal officers, who visited the General Evangelist at his residence in Ibadan, expressed shock at the passing of Mrs. Abiara.

    “Pastor Akinosun described her as a pillar of support to her husband and a very generous and impactful woman to all those who came her way.”

    The General Secretary of CAC Worldwide, Pastor E. E. Mapur, described her as a virtuous woman, a spiritual amazon and a prayer warrior, who impacted the lives of everyone, who came her way.

    Speaking on behalf of the children, Pastor Isaac Abiara, in a telephone call from the United States (U.S.), said his mother would be missed by all for her love, care, generosity and prayers.

    The late Mrs. Abiara had both her primary and secondary education at Okesha, Ilesha.

    She went into trading before she met her husband about 55 years ago.  The marriage produced three set of twins.

    The church said funeral arrangement will be announced later.

  • Why I became an evangelist, by Edo Reggae musician

    Why I became an evangelist, by Edo Reggae musician

    Until recently, Ovie Richard Okagbare (aka Ovie Whiskey) was a popular reggae musician but his calling has changed from the dread-locked man on the microphone to a man on the pulpit, using gospel to preach the world.

    Okagbare, who was recently ordained as an evangelist, revealed that God’s call on him has helped to refocus his life towards using his music to propagate the message of salvation and spiritual healing.

    The musical act, who recorded six studio albums before he temporary bowed out of music for other businesses, confessed that he was reckless with the fortune he made from music until God rescued him.

    He told our reporter how the miraculous healing of his wife who had a ruptured fallopian tube, which is known in medicine as ectopic pregnancy, led him to God.

    According to him, “In fact, I started by having my hair like a female. I was in the world living dangerously and recklessly filled with youthful exuberance and having a lot of fun, travelling around the world, making money but at the end of the day, everything went upside down because I was not properly managed. I was not close to God; I did not even know what the bible was. I did not even care about my standard of living until things got really bad and I met God and He changed my life.

    “I was one person who never believed in churches. I am one person who believed that church is a fraud, a means through which people make money and all that because you read about a lot of stories.

    “I have always argued with pastors and I never liked them and that distanced me from churches. But I was proved wrong when my wife had a major operation. Her fallopian tube got ruptured. For three months, she was in the hospital after spending close to N3m, I almost gave up my life.

    “After leaving the hospital, she was still not feeling fine until she was preached to and somebody told me to take her to a particular church where I was told by the pastor that she was going to die because it was a spiritual attack and that during the operation, there was a mistake spiritually.

    “How could my wife die? I was crying until somebody convinced me again to take her to Believers Ministry. I met the man of God, Pastor Samuel Osaghae who prayed with my wife. It was shocking I think God wanted to prove to me that there are few of His servants that He has sent because my wife could not walk after the operation. I was shocked. My wife who could not walk had to trek from the church to the junction. That was where I know there is God. I went back to him and I was prayed with and delivered.”

    Ovie said he would now focus on using music to win souls and worship God forever adding his new album would soon be released.

    Pastor Osaghae said that he encouraged Ovie to work for God through music.

  • Pastor, evangelist, 13 other suspected child traffickers paraded in Anambra

    Pastor, evangelist, 13 other suspected child traffickers paraded in Anambra

    The Directorate of State Security (DSS) has arrested a pastor of one of the new generation churches, an evangelist, two nurses and 13 others for child trafficking and kidnapping in Anambra state.

    The suspects were paraded yesterday at the DSS state headquarters in Awka with their faces bound in shame. Also, the three children taken away from their parents were rescued; they were three year old Chinonso Oriuwa, two year old Chidera Abiara and seven month old Chinasa Abiara.

    The suspects are Chinuru Martins (a pastor) from Umuahia in Abia State, Solomon Loveday Nwadinobi from Umuahia and Chiko Chima Ogu from Obowu in Imo state, all male.

    The women are, Nnena Ogbonna Nwachukwu from Bende in Abia, Eunice Tochukwu Uwakwe (Obowu), Glory Nnennaya Okwara a nurse from Arochukwu, Felicia Ebeh (Mbaise), Esther Eleanya (Abiriba). Also, Ifeoma Iwu (Obowu), Anurika Theophilus, Osisioma in Abia state, Adora Nwaneri, an evangelist from Orlu in Imo state, Loveth Nwankwo (Isiala Ngwa in Abia) and Comfort Charity Ononuju.

    Parading the suspects yesterday, the Anambra State Director of (DSS), Mr. Alex Okeiyi, said there had been rampant cases of missing children in recent times. He said many churches, and their pastors are involved in this kind of business, adding that the situation had become a source of worry to security and the society. According to Okeiyi, “this is beyond child trafficking, it is pure kidnap and they will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further action” He said a total of 17 persons including some members of the syndicate and buyers of the children were arrested. The assignment, according to Okeiyi was carried out by his command in collaboration with her Abia state counterpart and 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in Abia state.

  • CCC Oko-Oba parish III adult harvest today

    The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Oko-Oba parish III (District Headquarter), 9b, Jonathan Coker New Oko-Oba Lagos will today hold its 34th adult harvest thanksgiving.

    Tagged: Harvest of unexpected blessing (Psalm 126:1), the service begins by 10am prompt.

    The Shepherd-in-charge, Venerable Most Senior Evangelist M.A. Gbiri, said that this year’s harvest will usher unexpected blessing from God from all four corners of the world.

    “This year’s adult harvest will turn to be a turning point of many people. God has promised us that He will make us well but many have lost faith on receiving God’s will.

    “That unexpected blessing will be for everybody and Nigeria will remain bless in Jesus name,” he stated.

    The bazaar sales will be anchored by Most Senior Evangelist G.O Ojediran, Honourary Senior Evangelist Olusegun Ogunbayo, Mother Celestial E.A Ayinde (JP), Honourary Senior Evangelist Adebayo Odemo, Leader Gbenga Atanda, Mother Celestial .C. Shobiye and others.