Mpbase gist: Assemblies of God pastor arrested for alleged ritual prophecy against Governor Okorocha

The Imo state police command has arrested a pastor of the Assemblies of God church in the state, Chukwuma Okezuo, for allegedly giving prophecies against the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, during last Sunday's service.

Parading the suspect before newsmen, the state police command's spokesperson, Andrew Enwerem, said 40-year-old Pastor Okezuo while preaching, said God showed him that the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, was recruiting  young boys in the state with the sole aim of kidnapping children between zero and 10 years for ritual purposes. He alleged that the governor wants to use little children for ritual purposes ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

“I parade before you one acclaimed pastor, Chukwuma Okezuo, of Assemblies of God Church. He was arrested during a church service last Sunday at Owaelu Urratta over false prophecies against the person of the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha. The suspect, while on the pulpit, made false prophecies against the governor that he was recruiting young boys to be kidnapping children between zero and 10 years for ritual purposes. He falsely prophesied that the governor was engaging in the ritual purposes with the sole aim of winning the 2019 governorship election and therefore asked the congregation to pray. This false prophecy, by this acclaimed pastor, is very malicious and capable of causing rancour, panic, anxiety and disintegrating the state. The Imo State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Mr Dasuki Galandanchi, will not watch the people jeopardise the peace of the state. Religious leaders should be mindful of the things they say. We will charge the suspect to court for legal action,” he said.

The pastor however denied the allegation saying he never mentioned the state governor's name in his sermon. He said he only asked his congregants to pray agaisnt death and spiritual manipulations.