In the petition which was made available to SaharaReporters, the petitioner gave details of a series of disturbing events that had allegedly unfolded since early 2021, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of his family following the interference of the cleric.
Mr Ameh Joseph, a Nigerian architect, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force to investigate one Okpe Israel Angel Ogaga, founder of Testimony Champions City based in Delta State, South-South Nigeria.
In the petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which was received by the Force Headquarters on October 4, 2023, Ameh accused Mr Ogaga of extortion through dubious and convoluted prophecies aimed at deceit and threats against his family.
In the petition which was made available to SaharaReporters, the petitioner gave details of a series of disturbing events that had allegedly unfolded since early 2021, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of his family following the interference of the cleric.
Ameh also claimed that the prophet had perfected plans to 'abduct' his children and turn them into workers in his church. He also accused him of luring his wife to sell their family properties and give the proceeds to the church.
According to Ameh in the petition, trouble began when Ogaga made 'ominous prophecies' about his spouse, Ameh Rosemary Erue, in the presence of their children.
The prophecies, he said reportedly led to the cancellation of the bride price and triggered a chain of events that disrupted the peace and stability of their peaceful home.
Ameh further claimed that he attempted to address the situation by seeking clarification from the cleric and demanding proof of the alleged prophecies accusing him of extortion, inciting violence on his children, and causing destruction to his family.
“I noticed sometime in early 2021, this weird prophet offered a dreadful prophecy to my spouse Ameh Rosemary Erue in the presence of my children which compelled her to drop her bride price, revealed by my child,” he said.
In the petition, he said, “On my last visit, I met his pastor Chuks who also refused to release the strange prophet’s number to me. I left my number for him through Chuks and ended up telling Chuks that if I do not get a response from them in next one week, I shall go public with the matter
“At the expiration of the week, while my spouse in fear was trying to drop her bride price, I went on Facebook to explain my ordeal, calling openly on the fake prophet to resolve his prophecy to enable me to offer open testimony to confirm him as real to the public.
“I reported to the office of Presidents, Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria where I was detailed to meet the Chairman in-charge of Asaba division, Bishop Dave Eyowel who invited the strange prophet severally but he gave response to the Bishop by SMS with promises to see him which he never honoured because he had caught a family ‘mugu’ for extortion without regard to the trauma and ruin my children have been going through as result.
“Instead of contacting me, the strange prophet approached state criminal investigation department (SCID) using his regular cohorts as rumoured greatly in Asaba environment that the SP Francis Itua and his subordinate Rachael Obi are in the corrupt business of intimidating and extorting people in collaboration with the strange prophet. He petitioned that I defamed his name and cyber stalked him.”
He contended that Ogaga had continued to interfere in his family affairs, attempting to gain control over his children, including an alleged plot to abduct his daughter and send her to the United Kingdom without his consent.
Ameh expressed concern about the safety of his spouse and children.
He continued, “The strange prophet continued to ask my spouse to bring my children to him, to gain control of my children. He told my first daughter in the presence of the elder brother that her future lies overseas to collaborate with my spouse's plan to abduct the children to UK without my consent and the girl believes him as he says after God, he is next in supremacy.
“My daughter, the best overall student of Redeemers International on SS2 at the age of 13 never scored below 99.9 on additional maths and cleared her WAEC with excellent results refused for a long time to take JAMB.
“Determined to ruin my children, he auditioned my last daughter for singing and acting at his shrine (not church) and the girl at age of 12 began to visit Asaba every Friday from Agbor, bearing risk with her life and interfering with her academic works. She engaged me from her mother's WhatsApp an attempt to stop her, I will never see her or her sister again.
“(In what) appeared as a collaboration between some corrupt police officers being used to seize my daughter's international passport illegally acquired while her original passport valid till 2025 is still safe in my custody but declared missing for the purpose of abducting her.
“I have right over my daughter, a minor to guide her which cannot be interfered with by a man who is abysmally ignorant of any such by virtue of not having any child and relevant experience on guardianship therefore.”
In his petition to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Ameh seeks an impartial investigation, requesting an atmosphere to present evidence against SP Francis Itua.
He also urged the police to sanction both SP Francis Itua and the cleric. He also asked for the refund of funds allegedly extorted from his family, the release of his daughter's passport, and a commitment from the prophet not to involve his minor children in his activities.
Ameh concluded his petition by expressing confidence in the police force and their commitment to justice while seeking their intervention to safeguard his family from further harm and ensure that those responsible for the alleged crimes face appropriate consequences.
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to speak with Ogaga were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls or reply to the messages sent to him.
In April 2023, when Ameh made similar allegations against the cleric, he denied the accusations but declined to speak further.