By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Government has intensified its campaign against alleged religious fraud as a High Court sitting in Awka on Friday ordered the remand of eight clerics accused of staging fake miracles with hired actors to deceive worshippers and obtain money under false pretences.
The defendants, who were arraigned in separate criminal matters marked A/55C/26, A/57C/26, A/58C/26, A/60C/26, A/61C/26, A/63C/26, A/64C/26 and A/65C/26, are facing prosecution under provisions of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, as well as the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
Those docked before the court include Pastors Ndubisi Nnachukwu of Omega Dominion Ministry; Ekeleme Ugochukwu of Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry; Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa of Chapel of Faith Ministry; Peter Chukwu of Messiah Adoration Ministry; Chinedu Egwuonwu of Citadel of Grace Ministry; Ebele Nnachukwu of Jehovah the Mighty Than All Ministry; Miracle Iruoma of City of Power Ministry; and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama of Land of Testimony Adoration Ministry.
They were brought before Justice Jude Obiorah by operatives of the state’s security outfit, Agụnechemba, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Ken Emeakayi.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly recruited and paid individuals to pose as beneficiaries of miraculous healings and deliverance during church programmes, with the intention of misleading members of the public into making financial contributions and offerings.
The charges filed against them border on allegedly claiming false supernatural powers, using places of worship as platforms for criminal activities contrary to Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, as well as obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2006.
Some of the accused persons were arraigned alongside individuals alleged to have acted as intermediaries in recruiting the supposed “miracle beneficiaries” who reportedly received payments to testify during church services.
Although some of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations, the prosecution informed the court that it had assembled substantial evidence, including recorded confessional statements and electronic materials, to support its case.
Following arguments by counsel, Justice Obiorah ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned proceedings until June 15, 2026, for hearing of their bail applications and continuation of the matter.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), who led the prosecution, disclosed that video confessions and other documentary evidence had already been frontloaded before the court and would form part of the state’s case during trial.
He explained that the prosecution is part of the Soludo administration’s broader efforts to curb the exploitation of vulnerable citizens through deceptive religious practices, noting that the government remains committed to sanitising the public space and dismantling activities that allegedly encourage fraud and criminality under the guise of spirituality.
Reports have it that the Anambra State Government has, in the past few years, launched and intensified its fight and sustained crackdown against individuals and groups accused of promoting criminal activities through fraudulent religious and traditional practices, with the primary objective of ridding the state of crime, strengthening public trust, upholding the rule of law and protecting residents from exploitation.
Watch Governor Soludo’s reactions via the video below:
