Christ Embassy Pastor Sets Church On Fire During Service

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Worshippers at the Believers Love World Ministry a.k.a Christ Embassy Church in Lagos escaped death by whiskers after one of their aggrieved pastors, Prophet Jones Fidy Nweze, poured petrol and set fire on the church during service to protest against his disengagement from the church branch.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church branch located at No. 96 Aina Street, Ojodu area of Lagos, where Prophet Nweze was in charge before he was removed over an undisclosed offence in the church.

The 58-year old Pastor Nweze was said to be livid over his removal after he had reportedly built the branch and decided to vent his anger on the members and the new pastor, Benjamin Ude.
It was learnt that while the worshippers were engaged in a prayer session during a church service, Pastor Nweze allegedly brought a keg of petrol, poured it around the church building and set the place on fire. When the fire broke out, the worshippers were said to have scampered for safety. It was gathered that while they tried to escape the inferno, Pastor Nweze allegedly used a big stick to prevent and threaten both the pastor and members to remain inside so that the fire will consume all of them.

However, there was no loss of life in the stampede that ensured and the church members managed to escape. But the fire eventually destroyed the musical equipment at children’s section worth over N1.7m, the church ceiling and other items inside before the situation was brought under control.
The matter was reported to the Police and Pastor Nweze was arrested. After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and later charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing for the Police to prove that he actually committed the offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.A Layinka, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The defendant, Pastor Nweze, was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions. The matter was adjourned till 7th August, 2019.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the matter will be referred to the DPP for advice.