Cleric sheds light on alleged N118m dud cheques

The World Evangelism Bible Church (WEBIC) has reacted to an allegation of issuing N118 million dud cheques against its General Overseer, Prophet (Dr.) Samson Ayorinde.
Resident Pastor of the headquarters Church, Rev. Harold Chinonyerem, said that the news flying around was deceptive, misleading and does not represent the facts.
It was reported recently that Prophet Ayorinde could be arrested for issuing dud cheques to the tune of N118 million, following the dismissal of the fundamental human rights application filed by registered trustees of WEBIC, Prophet Samson Ayorinde and Rev Harold Chinonyerem by Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos High Court.
Reacting to what he described as negative publications, Rev Harold said: “We want the world to know that these publications are a misrepresentation of what actually transpired. There was a loan with Smartlinks. But unfortunately, during the transaction, the Prophet became indisposed, was flown overseas and as such could not handle business transactions. Then the officers of Smartlinks brought the matter to the principal officers of the church who assured them that there were no problems but pointed out that Prophet Ayorinde was at that moment indisposed.”

The church, he added, agreed to resolve the matter and consequently entered into some agreements with Smart Links.
“But along the line, while payments were going on, there were some disagreements on the figures that led to the presentation of the cheques, against the Church’s advice. It was then the police were invited and the matter got out of hand.
“I like to make the following positions clear; “(I) That there was no criminal intent or intention to issue dud cheques (II) That the Church was paying the loans until there was breakdown in negotiations. (III) That at no point has the Church, the Prophet, the Trustees or Rev. Harold been sued for dud cheques. (III). That the Church is still in negotiation with Smartlinks and is ready to clear the brouhaha whenever there is an agreement on terms of payment. (IV) That the Church and its officials are honest, peace loving people whose desire is to help make Nigeria a better place to live. (V) That the Church is a friend of the press and is, therefore, open to inquiries from media operatives before publications concerning it is made.