Lagos Pastor Investigated Over Alleged Fraud and Obtaining by Trick (OBT)

Detectives at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, have launched an investigation into allegations of fraud and obtaining by false pretense against a popular pastor.

The case was initiated following a petition by businessman Omolayo Michael, who accused the pastor of deceiving him into supplying 42,000 liters of diesel worth N50 million and surrendering two vehicles, among other cash transactions, totaling N106.178 million. The businessman claims the pastor, leveraging false miracles, manipulated him over several months.

Michael, Managing Director of Blessed Energy Resources Limited, detailed his introduction to the pastor in 2021 through a mutual friend, Ayobami, who is now deceased.

The pastor allegedly manipulated Michael with fabricated miracles and coerced him into providing the diesel without any payment. Additionally, Michael claims the pastor took two of his vehicles—a Mercedes Benz M-Class and a Mercedes Benz ML350—and coerced him into transferring substantial sums of money to his accounts.

The situation worsened when a woman involved in the pastor’s fake miracles was arrested, revealing the pastor’s deceitful practices. Despite multiple efforts, the pastor has not returned the vehicles or repaid the money, and he has threatened Michael’s life if he continues to demand restitution.

The police have managed to recover one of the vehicles from its new owner and are working to locate the second. Despite police summons, the pastor has only responded through a legal representative, denying all allegations. The church, through its spokesman Henry Okoduwa, also denies the accusations, claiming the vehicles were voluntary offerings from Michael during a live service, and that all financial dealings were settled.