The Nigerian social media space has had its fair share of #Metoo controversies over the years with a number of top pastors being accused of having intimate relationships with women other than their wives.
On Monday, January 25, 2021, Pastor Timi Adigun of the MINE Ministry became the latest member of the ‘caught-in-a-sex-scandal’ pastor. Nollywood star, Olayode Juliana, fought dirty with her former pastor online.
The actress, popularly known for her role as Toyor Baby in Jenifa’s diary, bashed the Pastor for denying her accusations of taking control of her social media pages.
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Then Julianna sent the social media into a frenzy by saying “Did you listen to yourself at all? I don’t think you did. You manipulated and sexually abused my sister and you thought I would be calm. You expect me not to be furious. How are you processing the things you did and the things you said? How? I don’t get you”.
Back in 2020, leaders of the MINE Teenage Ministry also said Timi Adigun, allegedly carried out “depraved immorality with teenagers” for over five years.
So, while the Pastor is not new to the sexual assault accusations, old wounds were reopened. The News Beam has compiled a list of some top Nigerian pastors who’ve also been associated with sex scandals in the past.
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Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo
It is only normal to have Pastor Fatoyinbo of COZA (CommonWealth Of Zion Assembly) as the first person on this list. The Pastor is what the Nigerians will call a regular customer when it comes to sex scandals and accusations. Several women have called out the flamboyant cleric nicknamed the ‘Gucci pastor’ for rape, sexual assault, and other related crimes.
Ese Walter, a Blogger and member of his church, accused Fatoyinbo of having an affair with her in 2013 while in the UK and forcing himself on her. Shortly after, another lady, Franca E. also claimed to have also been victimised.
Six years later, Busola Dakolo, a photographer and wife of popular musician, Timi Dakolo accused Fatoyinbo of sexually assaulting her twice when she was barely 16 years of age. A married woman who remained anonymous revealed to journalists that the pastor forcefully “anointed” her while she was pregnant.
More recently on January 6, 2022, a former choir coordinator of the churxh, Nnenna Kalu-Ude called him ‘community penis’ adding that he had been for the death of her friend, Tega, who was also a choir member.
Dr Sign Fireman
In 2014, the news of the General Overseer of Perfect Christianity Mission, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, Ofuche Ukoha aka Dr. Sign Fireman, allegedly sexually assaulting and murdering a 12-year-old girl in Badagry hit the internet.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his brother, Rev. Ken
If we didn’t know better, we’d have said it runs in the family. In 2014, the founder of Believers Love World Ministry aka Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris, and his Rev. Ken were caught in sex scandals. While Oyakhilome’s wife, Anita filed for divorce on grounds that the pastor had been allegedly involved in adultery, his brother Ken was accused of impregnating a South African lady. The lady was said to be a member of the Church in Randburg, Gauteng, which is the headquarters of Christ Embassy, South Africa.
Pastor Chukwuma Nkwocha Nkwocha
Way back in 2016, the General Overseer of Tongue of Fire Restoration Ministry Pastor Chukwuma Nkwocha Nkwocha was arrested for allegedly camping about 30 under-aged girls at his church located at Jacob Taiwo Street Oshodi. The Lagos state command claimed to have been hinted that the cleric had also defiled them.
Pastor Timothy Omotoso
In 2017, a senior pastor of a Jesus Dominion International, based in Durban, South Africa was arrested for allegedly being involved in rape, sexual assault, human trafficking and racketeering. During one of his escape attempts, he tried to sneak out of the country to Nigeria but was arrested by the South African authorities while hiding in an airport toilet. He is currently facing a 90-count charge.
Apostle Johnson Suleman
A young lady identified as Stephanie Otobo called out Apostle Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries about a year ago. According to Otobo, the pastor had impregnated her and later dumped her. As you might have guessed, these claims were vehemently denied by Suleman.
Pastor Timothy Ngwu
In December 2020, the 53-year-old Pastor Timothy Ngwu of the Vineyard Ministry of the Holy Trinity was arrested for having sex and impregnating 20 members of his church including married ones. His abusive and adulterous behaviour was reported to the police by his wife, Veronica whose niece he had also impregnated. The pastor’s defence, however, was that he was following the divine instructions of the holy spirit.
