Members of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo’s church, have warned Nigerians to
be prepared for dire consequences, if their General Overseer, popularly known
as Reverend King, is indeed killed by
hanging.
be prepared for dire consequences, if their General Overseer, popularly known
as Reverend King, is indeed killed by
hanging.
This warning emanated from the last Sunday service held at the
church, Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), located at Ajao Estate, Lagos. “It
will be absolute tragedy in this country if they touch our Holiness, they are
just ignorant of this,” the goatee-spotting acting general overseer, Reverend
Elijah King, threatened on the pulpit.
church, Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), located at Ajao Estate, Lagos. “It
will be absolute tragedy in this country if they touch our Holiness, they are
just ignorant of this,” the goatee-spotting acting general overseer, Reverend
Elijah King, threatened on the pulpit.
DailyPost observed during
the course of the Sunday service, held on February 3 at the church premises,
the acting general overseer also read a weekly message purportedly sent from
prison by the incarcerated Reverend King, in which the
beleaguered clergy urged his followers not to be deterred by their recent
setback. “You must continue in the faith which I have taught you,” a line from
the prison notes read.
the course of the Sunday service, held on February 3 at the church premises,
the acting general overseer also read a weekly message purportedly sent from
prison by the incarcerated Reverend King, in which the
beleaguered clergy urged his followers not to be deterred by their recent
setback. “You must continue in the faith which I have taught you,” a line from
the prison notes read.
Despite his incarceration,
the affairs and activities of the church still run smoothly. Investigations
during recent visits revealed that preparation is in top gear for King’s
birthday celebration this year and members are being urged to pay certain
amount of money for the undertaking. An insider
disclosed that apart from money donated by the church members,
generous donations come in every week from some rich and influential people in
the society, who are secret followers of the embattled man of God.
the affairs and activities of the church still run smoothly. Investigations
during recent visits revealed that preparation is in top gear for King’s
birthday celebration this year and members are being urged to pay certain
amount of money for the undertaking. An insider
disclosed that apart from money donated by the church members,
generous donations come in every week from some rich and influential people in
the society, who are secret followers of the embattled man of God.
Last year, his birthday was
marked with roaring publicity, as members of his church bought several advert
spaces in one of the prominent daily newspapers in Nigeria, where they
showered praises on him, even to the point of comparing him to Jesus Christ.
marked with roaring publicity, as members of his church bought several advert
spaces in one of the prominent daily newspapers in Nigeria, where they
showered praises on him, even to the point of comparing him to Jesus Christ.
Aside the contribution for his forthcoming birthday, other financial
obligations that church members must fulfill, include a weekly toll which will
be for “His Holiness’ welfare,”. This is often sent as a lump sum to the
imprisoned church founder for his upkeep in jail.
On this Sunday, the presiding reverend frowned at what he called
insult offerings to the Holiness. “We see N100 notes in the envelopes of the
Holiness Welfare, if I catch that person…” he threatened.
insult offerings to the Holiness. “We see N100 notes in the envelopes of the
Holiness Welfare, if I catch that person…” he threatened.
This further confirmed the report that the on-death row King
lives like a king inside the prison, courtesy of the resources squeezed from
his loyal church members.
lives like a king inside the prison, courtesy of the resources squeezed from
his loyal church members.
DailyPost investigation revealed that in spite of Reverend
King’s six-year absence, nothing has really changed in the operation of his
church. A first-hand experience by SE showed that high-handedness still
persists in the church. For instance, latecomers to Sunday service on February
3, were still subjected to kneeling outside by macho-looking ushers.
King’s six-year absence, nothing has really changed in the operation of his
church. A first-hand experience by SE showed that high-handedness still
persists in the church. For instance, latecomers to Sunday service on February
3, were still subjected to kneeling outside by macho-looking ushers.
The controversies
notwithstanding, the Anambra State-born
reverend still commands absolute loyalty from his followers.
notwithstanding, the Anambra State-born
reverend still commands absolute loyalty from his followers.
A member asserted: “I have no problem with the church, this is
my second year in this church and everything has been going on well.” Another
also affirmed: “Brother you were in the church service, you can see how we
cherish and respect him, he is Christ to us. We don’t care what other people
say.”
my second year in this church and everything has been going on well.” Another
also affirmed: “Brother you were in the church service, you can see how we
cherish and respect him, he is Christ to us. We don’t care what other people
say.”
Reverend King was convicted by Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos
High Court and sentenced to death by hanging on January 11, 2007, for the
alleged murder of a church member, Ann Uzoh. He allegedly poured petrol on the
deceased for what he called “acts of fornication,” and set her ablaze, alongside
others. The victim eventually died as a result of injuries sustained from the
burns. Arraigned on September 26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted
murder and murder, to which he pleaded not guilty, King was found guilty by the
trial judge.
High Court and sentenced to death by hanging on January 11, 2007, for the
alleged murder of a church member, Ann Uzoh. He allegedly poured petrol on the
deceased for what he called “acts of fornication,” and set her ablaze, alongside
others. The victim eventually died as a result of injuries sustained from the
burns. Arraigned on September 26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted
murder and murder, to which he pleaded not guilty, King was found guilty by the
trial judge.
