Pastor Accused Of Snatching 75 Married Women Arrested In Anambra

The Anambra State Government has confirmed the arrest of the owner of Day Spring Assembly, Awada, Onitsha, Pastor Harrison Charles, over allegations made against him by some members of his church.

Charles was accused in a viral video of taking married women from their husbands and compelling some members of his church to engage in wife-swapping.

The allegations emerged amid the state government’s ongoing clampdown on alleged fake pastors and religious leaders accused of exploiting residents.

Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Media, Dr Ejimofor Opara, confirmed the pastor’s arrest in a post on Facebook.

Opara said Charles was arrested by operatives of Agunechemba after the viral video containing several allegations against him surfaced online.

He added that the pastor had been handed over to the police for investigation.

According to him, the Anambra State Police Command and the state government have commenced a joint probe into the allegations.

“Pastor Harrison Charles, owner of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, was arrested by operatives of Agunechemba following a viral video containing several allegations against him,” Opara said.

“He is currently being investigated by the police, in collaboration with the Anambra State Government.”

Some of the alleged victims, said to be mostly members of the church, accused the pastor of breaking up their homes and taking married women from their husbands.

They also alleged that he forced some church members into wife-swapping.

The government said the allegations were being investigated and urged members of the public with credible information to come forward.

The arrest comes after several residents began speaking out about their experiences following the state government’s crackdown on alleged fake pastors.

The crackdown had earlier led to the arraignment of eight suspected fake pastors in court.

Eleven Babies Found In Pastor’s Home

Opara also disclosed that about 11 babies were allegedly found in Charles’ home during his arrest.

He said the pastor claimed to be the father of the children and also claimed that they were from 11 of his wives.

“During his arrest, about eleven babies were found in his home. He claims to be the father of these eleven babies, stating they are from eleven of his wives,” Opara said.

“He also claims he does not know the number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has.”

The state government said investigations were ongoing to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

Opara said the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, had appealed to anyone with additional information about the pastor’s activities to report to the government.

“While investigations continue, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, has urged anyone with additional information to report it to the State Government via 08034182108,” he said.

The government assured residents that the matter would be properly investigated and that anyone found culpable would be made to face the law.