Police in Anambra have arrested a controversial cleric Onyeze Jesus following fraud allegations levelled against him.
The preacher had been warned by the state government after a video of him went viral where he was seen throwing naira notes into a river as his adults followers bath naked.
Onyeze Jesus is based in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Why do you think he was arrested? You’re aware that the Nigerian police don’t take people for more than 24 hours. So, if he is in custody, then it’s within 24 hours. He was picked up yesterday (Wednesday),” Anambra commissioner of police Abang John told TheCable.
Anambra commissioner for information and public enlightenment C-Don Adinuba had said in a statement on Monday: “Onyeze Jesus promotes superstition and strife in society. By telling his gullible and brainwashed followers that their misfortune is caused by family members, relatives, friends and business associates through magical powers, he is fomenting serious troubles and instigating eternal enmity in various places and businesses. Some of these troubles can lead to physical fights, bodily injuries and even deaths.
“By throwing naira notes into the river regularly as part of sacrifice to the river goddess and filming it and distributing the film to the whole world, he has brought Anambra State into global ridicule and, worse, gregariously committed a criminal offence.
“Burning or destroying the naira through any means is an offence criminalised by the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007, and the offender is liable to imprisonment.”
