Worshippers at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Nteje, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed strong reactions to the six-month suspension of their vicar, Rev'd Ifunanya Maduka. The Anglican Church of Nigeria took disciplinary action against the cleric over allegations of staging fake miracles and prophecies. However, many parishioners believe the punishment is unjustified and that the priest's ministry is genuine.
Church Suspends Rev. Maduka Over Alleged Staged Miracles
The Diocese on the Niger, led by Bishop Owen Nwokolo, issued a suspension letter against Rev'd Ifunanya Maduka, vicar of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Nteje. The letter stated that the priest was found to have arranged or paid individuals to act out scenarios presented as divine miracles. The diocese accused him of false prophecy, deception, and abuse of the name of God, which contradict Anglican doctrine.
According to the church, Rev'd Maduka admitted to the allegations when confronted with evidence. He has been directed to hand over church property and vacate the parish within four days. A disciplinary panel will further investigate the matter.
Parishioners Defend Priest, Cite Personal Testimonies
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, May 5, a worshipper who requested anonymity shared her personal experiences with Rev'd Maduka. She stated that the miracles and prophecies from his ministry are real and have positively impacted her life.
She said, "We are not happy when we heard about his suspension. I do not know what other people think about him, but for me, I have different thoughts about what he is doing. That is why I have been attending this ministry for a long time now."
She recounted how her son faced a serious security problem last year. "If anybody had told me that he would come out of it, I would not believe, but he did. I came to our daddy, Maduka, for counselling and prayers. During counselling, he told me that my son's hands are clean of the allegations against him. He also assured that my son would come out very soon. My brother, I cannot tell you what happened to others who went in with him. But for my son, they later released him."
She also shared a testimony about her health. "I had a very serious ailment that was suspected to be blood cancer. Whenever we go for a lab test, they would not see anything, but I was dying from the inside. I consulted Daddy for prayers and counselling. After, he gave me some prayers and anointed me. After the anointing, I was relieved, and since then, I have never had any feeling of that sickness. So many manifestations! How many will I count?"
Worshippers Question Suspension, Call It Unfair
Another worshipper, Angelina Anakwenze, expressed disbelief at the suspension. She suspected that the punishment was a setup meant to punish Rev'd Maduka and remove food from his table.
She said, "I cannot believe that Daddy Ifunanya Maduka can admit that he was doing fake miracles and prophecies. It is not possible!" She shared her own testimony: "My brother was denied a Canadian visa several times. It was Daddy who salvaged the situation. The day we consulted him, he prophesied that we would not see the affliction anymore. Lo and behold, in a space of two weeks, my brother, Izuu, was called to come to the embassy for his visa. He is in Canada presently."
Another parishioner, Ezekiel Nwadialor, also defended the priest during an exclusive interview at his Ifite Nteje country home on Tuesday, May 5. He queried, "How can Reverend's miracles and prophecies be fake while all of us here are witnesses of what he has been doing? How?" Although Nwadialor did not mention specific miracles or prophecies he witnessed, he expressed confidence that the embattled priest was not faking his spiritual works.
Background and Previous Reports
Previously, Legit.ng reported on a similar incident where a church usher was suspended by her pastor for wearing a bikini to a swimming pool, sparking online reactions and debates over modesty expectations. That lady alleged that the pastor had ignored her struggles, including flooding in her apartment, while she regularly spent significant transport money to attend church services and serve as an usher.
