Whistleblower Who Confessed To Spreading False Claims Against MFM Critics Says He’s On The Run Over Threats From Church Affiliates
Michael’s admission followed the couple’s public criticism of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and its General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.
Olawale Michael, also known by aliases Akpeji Michael, Akbar EG, and Olemisi, has reportedly gone into hiding after confessing to fabricating and spreading false allegations against former MFM minister Olufemi Ashekun and his wife, Funke Ashekun.
Michael’s admission followed the couple’s public criticism of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and its General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.
In a video confession obtained by SaharaReporters, Michael admitted that he deliberately concocted the false claims in an effort to tarnish the reputation of the Ashekun family.
He disclosed that the smear campaign was orchestrated to silence Mrs. Ashekun and deter others from speaking out against the church and its leadership.
Michael said the conflict began in 2020 after he saw a video in which Mrs. Ashekun criticised MFM. Feeling compelled to defend the ministry, he launched an online smear campaign that escalated over two years. By late 2021 and throughout 2022, he continued spreading damaging falsehoods, including a fabricated allegation of adultery against Mr. Ashekun.
In the video, Michael expressed deep remorse, acknowledging that all his claims were baseless and meant solely to ruin the Asekuns’ reputation. He said that despite being confronted and cursed by Mrs. Ashekun for the lies, he persisted with the support of others—specifically naming Ziba Shemilore Omologo and Opeyemi Manuel as collaborators.
Fearing for his life, Michael said he decided to tell the truth publicly.
“If I die for speaking the truth, so be it,” he declared, offering a heartfelt apology to the Ashekun family and urging the public to share his confession as a testament to his sincerity.
In a follow-up statement shared with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, Michael raised the alarm over threats to his life, claiming he is now being targeted by individuals allegedly connected to MFM’s leadership.
He further disclosed that he secretly recorded a conversation with Oba Suleiman Owolabi Ogun-Oloko, the traditional ruler of Iwaya Land, who allegedly advised him not to apologise to the Asekuns but instead to issue an apology to Dr. Olukoya and the MFM church. According to Michael, the monarch promised him forgiveness and protection from Dr. Olukoya in exchange for renewed loyalty.
Since the release of his apology video, Michael said he has been relentlessly pursued, forcing him to flee across at least five African countries by road to evade capture. He also accused Semilore Zibah, also known as Omo Ologo, a blogger affiliated with MFM, of using social media platforms to amplify threats against him.
He said, “My name is Akpeji Michael. I am the person who was interviewed by SaharaReporters a few weeks ago after I made a public apology video to the Ashekun family.
“In that video, I confessed to the lies we told about Mrs. Funke Ashekun and her husband, Mr. Olufemi Ashekun. I also revealed our involvement with the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.
“Since I released the apology video, my life has been in danger. I have been receiving threats from people allegedly working on behalf of Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya. They have been searching for me everywhere.
“Prior to the video, I recorded a conversation between myself and the Oba of Iwaya Land, His Royal Majesty Oba Suleiman Owolabi Ogun-Oloko, who advised me not to apologize to the Ashekun family, but instead to issue an apology to Dr. Olukoya and the MFM Church. He claimed that doing so would restore my relationship with Dr. Olukoya and bring me help.
“However, ever since I chose to apologise to the Ashekun family and speak the truth, I have been on the run, moving from one African country to another by road. I am living in constant fear for my life, as I continue to receive threats—especially on social media—from people like one of Dr. Olukoya’s bloggers, Semilore Zibah (Omo Ologo).
“I am crying out to the world for help. My life is no longer safe. I cannot sleep peacefully because of everything I’ve witnessed and experienced. I know what these people are capable of doing, and I fear for my safety.
“Please share this message. The world needs to know the truth.”
