Anambra Expands Crackdown on Fake Clerics as Arrests and Shocking Revelations Emerge

((Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo. Photo by Premuim Times)

As the crackdown on fake pastors gathers pace in Anambra State, the state government has called on residents and members of the public to come forward with credible information that could lead to the arrest of more impostors posing as genuine clergy while engaging in criminal activities.

The government reaffirmed its determination to extend the fight to fake native doctors and pastors alike, as part of broader efforts to rid the state of criminality within both traditional and religious worship.

Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, in a statement, assured that any information shared with the government would be treated with strict confidentiality.

He explained that the government was appealing to Anambra residents with credible knowledge of pastors, churches, or self-styled men and women of God involved in criminality, extortion, fraud, deception, or any act that threatens lives, peace, or public order to come forward.

He noted that the initiative forms part of the present administration's efforts to sanitise both traditional and religious practices in the state and restore law and order.

According to him, the Soludo-led administration has broadened its earlier "War Against Fake Native Doctors" campaign to now include fake pastors and other individuals exploiting religious identity for criminal gain.

He maintained that despite criticism directed at the campaign, the initiative was ultimately designed to safeguard genuine freedom of worship and protect legitimate religious and traditional practitioners.

Several suspects, identified as Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama, were arraigned in court following their arrest by operatives of Agunechemba, the state's security outfit.

In a related development, another clergyman, Harrison Charles, was arrested over allegations that he took as many as 75 married women from their husbands.

His accusers, said to be largely members of his church, alleged that he coerced couples into swapping spouses and took some members' wives for himself.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Ejimofor Opara, confirmed that the pastor has since been handed over to the police, noting that a joint investigation involving the State Police Command and the state government is already underway.

He encouraged anyone with information regarding the pastor's activities to report to the state government.

According to him, Pastor Harrison Charles, who runs Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, was arrested by Agunechemba operatives following a viral video detailing multiple allegations against him, and he is currently being investigated jointly by the police and the state government.

He disclosed that about 11 babies were discovered in the pastor's home during the arrest, with Charles claiming to be their father through 11 different wives, while admitting he could not say exactly how many wives or children he has in total.