By CHARLES ONYEKWERE
An Enugu High Court has directed the police to arraign the General Overseer, City of Jesus International Ministry (COJIM), Pastor Christopher Orji for alleged fraud.
Hon. Justice Okey Anike, of the Agbani High Court, dismissed an application brought by the Pastor seeking to stop the police from investigating allegations against him by a United Kingdom based woman, Dr Anyaegbunam A. In the matter with Suit No: HAGB/ 50M/ 2021, the pastor sought the court to enforce his fundamental rights by stopping the police from investigating him on allegations brought to the police by the woman, who alleged that the applicant obtained several gifts and donation from her in the name of his church using misrepresentation of facts, fraud, deceit and undue influence.
When the 5th respondent who is based overseas returned to Nigeria, she decided to visit the said man of God, where she received the shock of her life, as she realized that she has been swindled in the name of God.
It was maintained that the woman only realized that all the videos, and information she was being fed while abroad about the said church and its non- existent charity home, were all stage managed.
Regrettably, when the said man of God realized that the bubble has burst, as the woman came into Nigeria for a burial, and actually came to visit him, he was so shocked that he refused to see her(the 5th respondent) – his benefactor who supposedly has ‘donated’ about N29,000,000:00 (Twenty nine million naira) both in cash transfer, and even a new Sienna Car to the supposed man of God, so as to help in charity work. Realizing that the woman (5th respondent) left their makeshift shanty, in utter disappointment and very disgusted, the said applicant started using all sorts of gimmicks to reach the applicant including threat to her life.
Subsequently, the woman made a demand to the man of God, and requested for the return of all her supposed donations including her computers , laptops and Sienna which were obtained by false pretense, deceit, fraud and misrepresentation of facts to her.
This demand did not go down well with the said Pastor, who conspired with his cabals to report Dr. Anyaegbunam to Okija Shrine, and all sorts of threat and invitation where meted to her; including telling her that she will die in 15days time.
Consequently, she reported to the Nigerian Police Force who invited the said Pastor Christopher Orji and obtained his statement.
Rather than resolving the issue, Pastor Christopher Orji went to High Court Agbani judicial Division, to institute Suit No: HAGB/ 50M/2021 praying the court to enforce his fundamental rights, by restraining police from investigating his matter, which he claims is a civil matter, and for police to be stopped from inviting him.
The woman – victim – who is seeking to get her materials back from the Pastor then engaged the services of a fiery Enugu Lawyer, Chief O.A.U. Onyema, of Akpaagu Chambers.
In its judgement the court noted, that while it is not the duty of the police to arrest the applicant in connection with returning the goods which is a civil matter between Pastor – member – relationship, that the Police should charge/arraign the Pastor, if there are prima facie evidence of crime, as the police alluded in their counter affidavit; and as such serve him arraignment Notice to appear in court for criminal proceeding.
Counsel to the applicant Chief O.A.U. Onyema, whose brief was held in court by one Sarah Okonkwo Esq, maintained that they have long filed and served the said Pastor civil claims at the Enugu State High Court in suit no E/217/2022 for civil remedies and for return of the materials including the Sienna car, and that due applications has been filed for the entire materials to be brought under the courts custody pending the determination of the substantive suit.
