Eight Pastors Held for Staging Fake Miracles with Actors

Eight pastors have been sent to a correctional facility after being charged by the Anambra State Government. They are accused of staging miracles using hired actors to trick people.

The pastors appeared before a state high court in Awka, Anambra State. They face multiple charges, including pretending to have supernatural powers, using places of worship for crime, and taking money through false pretences.

The prosecution was led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN. This information was shared on Facebook by the Anambra Broadcasting Service on Friday.

The accused are Ndubisi Nnachukwu from Omega Dominion Ministry, Ekeleme Ugochukwu from Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry, Emeka Nwamkpa from Chapel of Faith Ministry, Peter Chukwu from Messiah Adoration Ministry, Chinedu Egwuonwu from Citadel of Grace Ministry, Ebele Nnachukwu from Jehovah the Mighty Than All Ministry, Miracle Iruoma from City of Power Ministry, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama from Land of Testimony Adoration Ministry.

The charges are based on 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 prosecution told the court that some pastors worked with agents. These agents paid people to act as worshippers who claimed they were healed or delivered during church events. The prosecution said these fake miracles were used to collect money from the public.

Some of the pastors said they were not guilty of the charges. After listening to the defendants, the court ordered that they be held in a correctional facility until their bail applications are heard.

The evidence against them includes video-recorded confessions stored on a flash drive. This flash drive is part of the case the prosecution is building.

Mr Nweke said the confessions will be important evidence during the trial. He said this prosecution is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's efforts to fight fraud disguised as religious activities.

Mr Nweke added that the government wants to stop the practice of exploiting vulnerable people through deception. He emphasized that this action fits with the state's ongoing fight against fraudulent native doctors.

The case is set to continue on 15 June for more hearings.

This arraignment comes a few weeks after Governor Soludo announced that his administration arrested several people called “fake pastors.” This is part of a larger campaign against religious exploitation and social problems in the state.

At an event in Awka in May, the governor mentioned that some suspects are already in custody and helping investigators by giving confessional statements. He stressed that this operation aims to protect vulnerable citizens from deceit and fraud masked as religious activities.

Mr Soludo said this effort is part of building “a new Anambra free from deception and social vices.” He stressed that the government will keep targeting practices that hurt social values and encourage quick wealth through dishonest means.

The governor also called on religious and political leaders to support reforms that promote integrity, hard work, and accountability in society.