Church Member Opens Up on Pastor Accused of Impregnating Teen During Deliverance
A member of Jesus Is Ontop Ministry in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has provided detailed accounts regarding the sèx scandal involving the church's senior pastor. Evangelist Dozie Favour Ezeani faces allegations of impregnating a 16-year-old girl who was brought to him for spiritual deliverance, sparking widespread controversy and legal action.
Arrest and Allegations Against the Pastor
The state-owned Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) arrested Evangelist Ezeani over the alleged defilement of 16-year-old Precious Okafor. According to SASA boss Monday Nwokoye, a security operative from the neighbouring community of Igboukwu reported that the victim was handed over to the evangelist by her aunt for special deliverance. The pregnancy was discovered during subsequent questioning, leading the teenager to name Ezeani as the perpetrator, who is now in police custody.
The victim recounted that the incidents began in November 2025, shortly after she arrived at Ezeani's residence for deliverance. She alleged that he repeatedly had sèx with her, resulting in the pregnancy, and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse. In her statement, she described being given a concoction by Ezeani to terminate the pregnancy, which caused bleeding from her private parts.
Church Member's Perspective on the Scandal
In an exclusive interview, Chigozie Onyemechi, an eight-year member of the church and former youth and choir leader, expressed shock at the allegations. He described Evangelist Ezeani as a preacher who consistently emphasized chastity, morality, and the second coming of Jesus Christ, living by the principles he taught. Onyemechi noted that the church had never previously experienced any cases of sèxual molestation, despite having many attractive women in the congregation, making the scandal particularly surprising to members.
When reminded that Ezeani admitted to the sèxual affairs, Onyemechi suggested that the pastor might have strayed from his divine calling. He explained that Ezeani was called as an evangelist to preach the gospel, not to perform deliverance or cast out evil spirits. Onyemechi speculated that accepting deliverance duties could have been a mistake, leading to the current situation.
Proposed Resolution and Call for Leniency
Onyemechi proposed a unique solution to the crisis, urging security agencies and the state government to show leniency by having Ezeani marry the young lady instead of facing imprisonment. He argued that sending the pastor to prison would disrupt his ministry, while leaving the girl to wander could cause emotional harm. According to Onyemechi, marriage would allow both parties to move forward without significant losses, providing a pragmatic resolution to the scandal.
Background on the Deliverance and Church Practices
The victim was reportedly handed over to Ezeani by her aunt for deliverance from what was described as the spirit of stubbornness, without the consent of her mother who resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Ezeani allegedly told the aunt that the girl came from the seven seas and required urgent special deliverance. This case highlights broader issues within some religious practices in Nigeria, where deliverance sessions can sometimes lead to exploitation and abuse.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, recently emphasized the importance of faith in Jesus for healing, referencing divine spare parts as a covenant right for believers. This contrasts with the controversial methods involved in the Anambra scandal, underscoring the diverse approaches to spirituality in Nigerian churches.
