Assemblies of God Owerri pastor arrested for accusing Rochas of planning to carry out ritual killings

ASSEMBLIES of God Church Owerri clergyman Pastor Chukwuma Okezuo has been arrested by the Imo State Police Command for alleging that Governor Rochas Okorocha is engaging in the ritual exercises in the run-up to next year's elections.

 

In the first such arrest of its kind, Pastor Okezuo was picked up after making the claims against the governor during a church service. Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem, who paraded the cleric before newsmen yesterday, accused him of prophesying during last Sunday’s church service in the Urratta area of Owerri.

 

Apparently, the clergyman was alleged to have said that the governor was recruiting young boys in the state with the sole aim of kidnapping children 10 years old and younger for ritual purposes. According to the police spokesperson the false prophecy was capable of causing rancour and panic in the state.

 

He added: “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."

 

In response, the 40-year-old pastor, who hails from the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state, said what the police accused him of was untrue. He added that he only asked the congregation to pray against untimely death and spiritual manipulations without mentioning the name of anybody including that of the governor.

 

However, Mr Enwerem added: “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, 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.”

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