Exposed: Pulpit renegades on the prowl, gluttons, simpletons the target

Rev.Br. Kenneth Chigozie Alamezie, BSS
(08068397124)

Recently, I chanced upon an online report by the Punch newspapers that really got me troubled up in my spirit. Yes, reading the said report got me stirred to write again on this topic I thought I was done with. After writing on some disconcerting developments as are visible today among our so-called pastors, please this has nothing to do with denominationalism here as the condemnable draconian devilish escapades of modern-day church ministers can be seen in virtually all churches today, in the last edition; I had thought that I wouldn’t be writing on similar topic again, at least not in the nearest future. But, I guess I was wrong.
The report made available on February 7th, 2016, by the said online press media once again brought to light the message we had tried getting across with our earlier writing in this column, in the immediate last edition of this esteemed tabloid. Please, this doesn’t imply this writer is somehow feeling elated at the bad news content in the report, although coming barely two days after he wrote something similar. Our main purpose of writing extensively and with absolute bluntness in this column, in our last edition, on the menace of these con artists now occupying the circus stage paradigm is simply to get our good readers informed on the updated modus operandi of these scammers, as can be seen in virtually in all churches; and secondly to remind those ferocious lions in the stinking business of what should’ve been their driving force. The article really got tongues wagging; critics it seemed had a field day as I’ve received a lot of rejoinders (criticisms) filtering in from all corners. And we, however, applaud commendations as well as contrary opinions received so far from our darling readers. Yet, from all indications it seems we may not be giving up anytime soon commenting on developments as it concerns magicians, swindlers, task masters, indeed questionable characters springing up from all corners, and almost on daily basis in the Body of Christ. The fact remains that their continued multiplication in numerical strength and otherwise portend grave danger for all of us in the Body of Christ.
Of a truth there is no bizarre practice or happening in Christendom today that one would say is a new import, yet that shouldn’t be reason enough to undermine, or rule out with a wave of the hand, the very fact that the rate with which con artists and updated magicians are multiplying in numerical strength and tactics, in Nigerian churches today, is really becoming upsetting. The danger is that the real gospel truth would gradually lose tolerance and thus glide into utter oblivion in no distant time--which results would be profoundly calamitous to Church and society--if we so decide to turn a blind eye and behave as though this iniquitous happenings in many a Nigerian church and exclusively among supposed Church ministers cum leaders aren’t worthy of urgent attention cum immediate arrest. I repeat, if the concerned authorities refuse to align themselves, let go of their petty differences, and put heads together to provide precautionary measures capable of curtailing the excesses of tricksters now dominating our pulpits, then it should be noted that Christianity in Nigeria may before long lose its moral worth and in consequence become a thing of derision. We should not neglect the fact that majority of our Christian brethren in this part of the world are but mere simpletons when in it comes to matters concerning the faith, hence can be easily swayed by any fables and old wives tales sold them in the place of Gospel teaching.
I strongly believe we can do something to this effect, both collectively and on individual basis. The time is ripe for each of us, especially those spiritually enlightened folks given to the ministry of the word, to begin speaking out in every way possible against sharp practices of renegades in the Body of Christ with a view to exposing them and their modus operandi. Doing this, I think, will inter alia help in no small way in rescuing our gullible brothers and sisters, who have continued to be prey to the ferocious appetite of these corrupt souls. I know some folks may think this writer is apt to using hard words when referring to fake preachers. Of course, this is true, although I haven’t yet done exactly like my Master, who whipped them out of the temple. The concerned authorities ought to do the latter while I continue with my other little brothers in the ministry, with the former. And God willing, we may devote enough time this year writing, although as the spirit gives us the inspiration, on the atrocious mendacity of many false gospel ministers in Nigeria. The trend is truly becoming quite unbecoming!
The report, according to Punch online, indicted a certain randy figure parading himself as a true man of God. The crook, who was said to be possessing enormous magical powers, was not just in the business of swindling his teeming followers (baby Christians indeed, and that is if they aren’t mere unbelieving believers) of their hard earned money, through his mind blowing magical predictions and hullabaloo demonstrations, but also was in the act of luring the female folks among them to his defiled demonic bed, a situation which led to 7 of his victims being put to the motherhood state by him. Let me quickly recall here literally part of the report captioned “Delta: Reverend impregnates seven church members, two married women” as was given by the said press media:
“A randy man of God identified as Dukes (surname withheld) in Umunede, Delta State who has been accused of sleeping with his church members in the past two years, has allegedly impregnated seven of his single female church members and two married women.
While trouble is currently brewing over the act, it was reliably gathered that the self-acclaimed man of God had also allegedly seduced several young girls in neighbouring communities: Ute-Ukpu, Otolokpo under the guise of providing them with suitors before he moved into Umunede after his cover was blown.
He was said to have been arrested and detained at Agbor Police Station by aggrieved parents of his victims for two days before granted bail.
A member of his church "Light Of God Ministries" Josephine Ogor said, “The self acclaimed reverend uses preaching, choirs and organized youth fellowship to get young girls.”
“That was what he did in Ute-Okpu, Otolokpo neighbouring communities before he moved into Umunede and he was driven away by the elders of the communities, he likes girls of 15, 16 and 17 years he sleeps with,” she added.
Investigation revealed that until some married women started carrying their marital problems to him, the self-acclaimed man of God allegedly known for magical powers, specialises in mind-blowing prophecies for unsuspecting members of his church including some highly placed politicians and businessmen across the state.
His victims, some who claimed they were hoodwinked into sexual intercourse with him via magical powers, Awele John, Marble Ogoan and Rosemary Iwendi said: "Please Mr. Pressman don't use our pictures.”
“The man is fake, he uses magical powers to woo young girls he sleeps with, that was how we fell into his net, and our eyes were opened".
Another victim, a married woman who did not want her name in the print said she had gone to the reverend's house to seek advice on constant quarrels between her and the husband for possible solution when Dukes allegedly gave her anointed oil for her to rub and take from it but this was not to be, when she found herself in love making with the reverend during the night.
She said: "I saw myself having sexual intercourse with the Reverend in my sleep and I was shocked before I made it known to my husband".
You see, as usual women are again the victims of sexual abuse here. A similar case went viral sometime last year involving one ex catechist at Nsukka, Enugu State, whose uncontrollable quest for sex made him a monster. He was said to have imprisoned many ladies among them married women, fathering children numbering almost the size of a community by them.
The reason many of our women have decided to remain obtuse and loose, not minding continued reports of bizarre nature exposing them as being target of sex maniacs and occult men dominating the pulpit, have continued to elude reason.
It pains me in the heart anytime I hear bloodcurdling stories relating how our young ladies are being exploited of their femininity, thereby used as mere object of sexual satisfaction and other various ritual purposes, by some untamed ravenous wolves, indeed unrepentant thieves. Among so many other possible reasons that could major as chief cause, abnormal quest for marriage cum immediate solution to so-called marriage delay, seem to me the most outstanding as to why they—our women--easily fall prey to these leopards. Sadly, even the so-called learned ones among them aren’t exempted from this. On the contrary, it even appears they are the easiest to prey on. Thus my question is: when will our women learn from experience? There is even a story in this newspaper regarding a lady, who was duped N1.6m by an unfussy self-styled spiritualist. The list goes on.
It is easy nowadays to hear them want to cover up their stupidity and insincerity, once trapped in the spread net of these human spiders, by referring to influence of charms and witchcraft manipulation as playing host to their ordeal.
We know this is not always the case but sheer looseness, reckless desire for sudden answers to normal challenges of life and tests. I’ll recall scripture’s stance on this: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed (James 1:14).
Still, talking about the leopards and their modus operandi, our big brother, Pietro, has this to say: “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error” (2 Peter 2:12-15, 18). God bless you!