Eight Anambra Pastors Remanded Over Fake Miracles
A High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has remanded eight pastors in a correctional facility over allegations of staging fake miracles and deceiving members of the public for financial gain.
The clerics were arraigned by the Anambra State Government on charges bordering on fraudulent religious practices, obtaining money by false pretence, and allegedly using places of worship to commit criminal activities.
The prosecution accused the pastors of hiring individuals to pose as beneficiaries of miraculous healings and deliverance during church programmes in order to attract donations and exploit unsuspecting worshippers.
According to court documents, the defendants include pastors from various ministries across the state.
They were charged under Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, as well as Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
Prosecutors alleged that the accused worked with agents who recruited and paid individuals to act out miracle testimonies before congregations.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), led the prosecution team.
He told the court that video-recorded confessional statements and other evidence had been filed as part of the state’s case against the defendants.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged activities were aimed at obtaining financial rewards from members of the public through deception.
Some of the pastors pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiorah, ordered that the defendants be remanded pending the hearing of their bail applications and adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026.
The case forms part of the Anambra State Government’s broader campaign against alleged fraudulent religious and traditional practices.
State authorities say the move is intended to protect residents from exploitation and restore public confidence in legitimate religious institutions.
