The First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja has refuted allegations of financial misappropriation under the watch of its former senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji.
Akanji, according to the church, helped it to grow in leaps and bounds, becoming unarguably one of the leading Churches in the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
It was reacting to media reports that Akanji and some officials of the church were involved in alleged N620m fraud and forged its constitution.
The church in a statement stressed that there was never a time its money or property waa misappropriated or converted by anyone or group of people, noting that its financial activities were regularly audited.
It said: “Our attention has been drawn to some misinformation, rumours and fabricated stories making the rounds in the social media about the financial situation of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja under the watch of our former senior Pastor, Rev Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, FAR.
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“We would have ignored the misinformation but in the interest of some well- meaning members of the public who desire to know the true position of the situation, we are using this forum to set the record straight.
“That the Church condemns in strong terms the activities of those who are hell-bent on embarrassing and harassing our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, FAR. We know that the One who called him into the ministry and who made him lead our Church for 22 years will vindicate him in Jesus’ Name.
“That there was never a time when the Constitution and the Byelaw of our church (First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja) duly filed and certified by the Corporate Affairs Commission, was forged by anyone or group of people for whatever reason.
“There was never a time in the history of our Church when any money or property was misappropriated or converted by anyone or group of people. The account of our Church is intact, regularly audited and has been under the management of qualified financial personnel.
“That under the watch of our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, every transaction made by the Church adhered strictly to the due process and the policies of the Church.
“That under the watch of our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, the Church grew up from nowhere to become unarguably one of the leading Churches in the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
“That everything done under the watch of the former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji was endorsed by the whole church in accordance with the Practices and Policies of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
“That our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji is still enjoying the respect, honour and the support of the Church and the entire members to date because of his unprecedented contributions to the Church.
“The church as represented by her Board of Trustees (BOT) has not lodged any complaints with the Nigeria Police. Any legal action against the Church and her leadership is sponsored by evil forces determined to malign, harass and embarrass the church and the former Senior Pastor.
“We appreciate the love, concern and understanding of those who are sincerely disturbed and worried about the unfortunate narrative being spread about the Church. We know that First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja is marching on and the gate of hell shall not prevail. In the fullness of time the church and the gospel of Christ shall prevail in Jesus Name.”