Police Arrest Jesus, Anambra Pastor Who Did Naked Rituals For Followers In A River

Controversial Anambra Pastor, Onyeze Jesus, who recorded a money ritual session in which the participants were filmed bathing naked in a river has been arrested by the Police.

It was gathered by Naija News that the clergyman was arrested by the Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday.

It will be recalled as earlier reported that the popular prophet, mostly referred to as ‘Jesus of Npko’ by his followers was accused by the state government of carrying out unlawful acts in the name of religion, adding that he would be arrested.

The call for the self-proclaimed prophet’s arrest started after a video of him performing rituals for his naked followers went viral on social media.

The state government in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba, accused the prophet of “criminal and indecent conduct in the name of religion.”

The statement reads in part: “The state government is appalled by the conduct of this man. Anambra people are famous throughout the world for their industry, knowledge, ingenuity, perseverance, a high savings rate and an infectious business drive, all combined to enable them to achieve tremendous success in various fields. Their success is not overnight nor through magic.

“Onyeze Jesus promotes superstition and strife in society. By telling his gullible and brainwashed followers that their misfortune is caused by family members, relatives, friends and business associates through magical powers, he is fomenting serious troubles and instigating eternal enmity in various places and businesses. Some of these troubles can lead to physical fights, bodily injuries and even deaths.

“By throwing naira notes into the river regularly as part of sacrifice to the river goddess and filming it and distributing the film to the whole world, he has brought Anambra State into global ridicule and, worse, gregariously committed a criminal offence.

“Burning or destroying the naira through any means is an offence criminalised by the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007, and the offender is liable to imprisonment.”

On Thursday morning, the spokesperson of the Anambra police command, Haruna Mohammed told TheCable Lifestyle that the controversial prophet has been arrested.

When contacted, the state commissioner of police, Abang John confirmed that Onyeze is currently detained in their custody and will be there for the next 24 hours.

“Why do you think he was arrested? You’re aware that the Nigerian police don’t take people for more than 24 hours. So, if he is in custody, then it’s within 24 hours. He was picked up yesterday,” the commissioner said.

Naija News also previously reported that the prophet had earlier apologized to Nigerians for his actions after the video went viral on social media platforms. He also accused some people of attempting to use the video to blackmail him.

He said: “But that’s not why I am here. I am here to apologize to Nigerians and Anambra at large for using N50 Naira and spreading it on people that I am working. And also for showing nakedness on social media. It is a mistake. I am not the one that posted it. People are managing my page. Immediately I noticed that, I deleted it. But before then some people have shared all of them.”

“Those 50 Naira that I spread is not even up to N1000. But water did not carry all of them. Somebody down there is picking them. That work is …if I spray the money, people down there pick it so shall all their lost blessings will be found. That is the meaning of that money that I spray. I cannot waste Nigerian money. I am not a bastard. I am not a coward. People are trying to use it to blackmail me.”