Court Remands Eight Pastors Accused of Staging Miracles With Hired Actors
A High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has remanded eight pastors in a correctional facility over allegations that they staged miracles using hired actors to deceive members of the public and obtain money through fraudulent means.
The clerics were arraigned by the Anambra State Government on multiple charges, including allegedly claiming fake supernatural powers, using places of worship for criminal activities and obtaining money by false pretence.
The prosecution, led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), filed the charges 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 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.
According to the prosecution, some of the pastors allegedly collaborated with agents who recruited and paid individuals to pose as worshippers claiming to have received miraculous healings or deliverance during church programmes. The alleged testimonies were then used to attract financial contributions from unsuspecting members of the public.
Some of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their arraignment, the court ordered that they be remanded pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications. The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 15 for further proceedings.
The prosecution also disclosed that part of its evidence includes video-recorded confessional statements allegedly made by the defendants and stored on a flash drive tendered before the court.
Speaking after the proceedings, Nweke said the trial forms part of the Anambra State Government’s efforts to curb fraudulent practices disguised as religious activities and protect vulnerable residents from exploitation.
He said the government was determined to stamp out the practice of deceiving people through staged miracles, adding that the prosecution aligns with the state’s ongoing campaign against fraudulent native doctors and other forms of organised deception.
The arraignment comes weeks after Governor Chukwuma Soludo revealed that several individuals described as “fake pastors” had been arrested as part of a wider crackdown on religious exploitation and social vices in the state.
The governor had stated that some of the suspects were already in custody and assisting investigators, stressing that the operation was aimed at building “a new Anambra free from deception and social vices.” He also called on religious and political leaders to support efforts aimed at promoting integrity, accountability and hard work in society.