The Homeland Security Special Court in Awka, Anambra State, on Friday ordered the remand of eight pastors in custody over allegations of staging fake miracles, popularly referred to as “arrangee” miracles.
The defendants are Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Ugochukwu Ekeleme, Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa, Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Ebele Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
They were arraigned by the Anambra State Government on charges relating to fraudulent religious practices and obtaining by false pretence. The prosecution was led by Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
According to the prosecution, the pastors allegedly paid individuals to pose as beneficiaries of miraculous healings during church services, deceiving worshippers to obtain financial gains. Agents reportedly recruited participants to act as recipients of the staged miracles, exploiting unsuspecting members of the public.
The defendants were arraigned in separate cases marked A/65C/26, A/55C/26, A/63C/26, A/64C/26, A/57C/26, A/60C/26, A/58C/26, and A/61C/26. They face charges under Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, for using places of worship to commit crimes, as well as under Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, for obtaining by false pretence.
Evidence submitted included video-recorded confessions and a flash drive containing materials the prosecution plans to rely on during trial. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Presiding Justice Jude Obiora ordered that the pastors remain in custody and adjourned the matter until June 15 for hearing and consideration of bail applications.
