Sowore Slams Pastors And General Overseers, Labels Them Business People Using Illicit Resources From Criminal Associates To Kill, Oppress Nigerians
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), accused Obi and others like him of using resources from their “Nigerian state criminal partners” to exploit and oppress the people.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has condemned Evangelist Ebuka Obi, the leader of the Zion Prayer Ministry Movement Outreach, for his role in the police prosecution of Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele, for criticising him.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), accused Obi and others like him of using resources from their “Nigerian state criminal partners” to exploit and oppress the people.
Sowore emphasised that these individuals are not saintly figures, but rather businesspeople who use their power to destroy, extort, and kill.
He expressed frustration that a revolution could have brought about change, but the masses remain under the spell of their oppressors.
Ijele’s case has been ongoing since April 2024, when he was detained at Ikoyi Prison in Lagos on allegations of cybercrime.
Despite meeting his bail conditions, his release has been hindered due to another case filed against him in Awka, Anambra State.
Sowore’s comments highlight the concerns about the misuse of power and the exploitation of the masses by those in positions of authority.
Sowore, who took to his X handle to comment on the amended three counts filed against Ijele, which was shared by former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, wrote: “These pastors/GOs are business people using resources provided by their Nigerian state criminal partners to kill, destroy, extort, and oppress. There is nothing saintly about these crooks.
“A #Revolution could have done the magic, but the masses are still under their hypnotism/spell. Imagine one of the scammers and chauvinist pigs claiming the other day that in 2025, the ‘Marine kingdom has injected strange women into the world.’”
The charge filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos marked FHC/L/321C/24 is between the Inspector General of Police as Complainant and Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu as the Defendant.
The Amended Charge reads: “COUNT 1: That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Conspiracy, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally conspired within yourselves, used your social media handle “The King of the game” knowing same to be false made a vexatious and obnoxious online Publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos purporting him to be performing fake, arranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public which attracted several views from third parties with the intention to cause hatred and damage to the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 27(1)(a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015.
“COUNT 2: That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Cyber stalking, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally used your social media handle “The King of the game” made a vexatious and obnoxious online Publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos purporting him to be performing fake and arranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public as well as put Evang. Ebuka Obi to fear of death and any members of his Ministry which attracted several views from third parties with the intention to cause hatred and damage the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24(1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)(b)Cybercrimes (Prohibitions, Prevention) Act 2015.
“COUNT 3: That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Defamation, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally used your social media handle “The King of the game” made a vexatious and obnoxious Publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos with the intent to annoy, exposing him to hatred, contempt and ridicule him by purporting him to be performing fake andarranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public which attracted several views from third parties and by so doing, you have criminally disparage, lower his estimation and damage the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, Punishable under section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.”
The charge was filed on behalf of the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun by one DSP Peter Ejike from the Nigeria Police Force Legal Department.
SaharaReporters reported in July 2024, how a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the court lacked the power to try the offence of criminal defamation.
The court stated this while dismissing two of the three counts of cybercrime charges brought against Ijele.
The court in its ruling also nullified the initial stringent bail conditions that had kept Ijele in prison.
Legal luminary, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had filed a preliminary objection challenging the validity of his trial for alleged cybercrime offences.
The charges were brought against Ijele by the police on behalf of Obi.
These pastors/GOs are business people using resources provided by their Nigerian state criminal partners to kill, destroy, extort, and oppress. There is nothing saintly about these crooks.
A #Revolution could have done the magic, but the masses are still under their… pic.twitter.com/qQnPMOOYot
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 6, 2025
