EIGHT Christian clerics have been remanded in a correctional facility, following their arraignment by the Anambra State Government over allegations that they staged miracles using hired actors to deceive the public.
The defendants were arraigned before a state high court in Awka on multiple charges, including allegedly wielding fake supernatural powers, using places of worship for criminal activities and obtaining money by false pretence.
The defendants are Ndubisi Nnachukwu of Omega Dominion Ministry; Ekeleme Ugochukwu of Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry; 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.
The charges were filed under Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, and Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
The proof of evidence accompanying the charges reportedly includes video-recorded confessions by the defendants, stored on a flash drive, tendered as part of the prosecution’s case.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), according to a report by the state-owned Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), led the prosecution.
According to the report, the prosecution told the court that some of the pastors allegedly worked with agents who recruited and paid individuals to pose as worshippers who had been healed or delivered during church programmes.
The prosecution further alleged that the purported miracles were used to obtain financial rewards from members of the public.
Some of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After hearing from the defendants, the court ordered that they be remanded in a correctional facility, pending the hearing of their bail applications.
Nweke said the prosecution was part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration’s effort to tackle fraudulent practices disguised as religious activities.
The commissioner added that government was determined to “nip in the bud, the practice of exploiting vulnerable members of the public through deception by staging miracles.”
Nweke said the action aligns with the state’s ongoing crackdown on fraudulent native doctors.
The case was adjourned until 15 June for further hearing.
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