By Our Reporter
Eight pastors have been arraigned before a State High Court in Awka, Anambra State over allegations of staging fake miracles and defrauding people through deceptive religious practices.
The pastors were charged before the Homeland Security Special Court sitting at the Anambra High Court, Awka, on multiple counts bordering on wielding fake supernatural powers, using places of worship for the commission of crimes, and obtaining by false pretence.
The defendants are Ndubisi Nnachukwu of Omega Dominion Ministry, Ugochukwu Ekeleme of Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry, Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa of Chapel of Faith Ministry, Peter Chukwu of Messiah Adoration Ministry, and Chinedu Egwuonwu of Citadel of Grace Ministry.
Others are 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 arraigned in separate charges marked A/65C/26, A/55C/26, A/63C/26, A/64C/26, A/57C/26, A/60C/26, A/58C/26 and A/61C/26.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Mr Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, who is leading the prosecution, told the court that the accused persons allegedly hired and paid individuals to pose as beneficiaries of miraculous healings and deliverance during church programmes in order to deceive worshippers and attract financial rewards.
According to the prosecution, some of the pastors worked with agents who recruited persons to act as recipients of miracles, thereby exploiting unsuspecting members of the public through staged testimonies and false claims of supernatural intervention.
The defendants were charged under Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, for allegedly wielding fake supernatural powers and using places of worship for criminal activities.
They also face charges of obtaining by false pretence contrary to Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
The prosecution further alleged that the pastors obtained money and other benefits from members of the public through the purported miracles.
Documents tendered before the court included video-recorded confessional statements and a flash drive containing evidence the state intends to rely on during the trial. The prosecution said the materials formed part of its proof of evidence against the defendants.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending the determination of their bail applications.
He adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026, for hearing.
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