Congregation of Yahweh Denies Allegations, Urges Media to Await Police Findings
….Seeks Right of Reply Over Viral Media Campaign
By Naomi Onome
The Congregation of Yahweh, Lagos, has denied allegations of sexual misconduct, maltreatment, harassment and other forms of abuse levelled against its leadership and members by some former members of the church and their mother.
The church, in an official press statement signed by Apst. Yehudah Nnedu, Chairman of the Assembly, said the allegations were false, malicious and unfounded, while accusing the former members of subjecting the church and its leadership to what it described as a “media trial.”
The statement followed the circulation of an interview across YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media platforms involving former members of the congregation, identified as Diuto Okwuonu, Ugomma Okwuonu, Amara Okwuonu, Susana Okwuonu and their mother, Mrs. Naomi Okwuonu.
According to the church, a petition concerning the allegations is currently being investigated by the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.
The congregation said it was therefore concerned that the allegations were being publicly circulated while the police investigation remained ongoing.
It appealed to media organisations that had published or broadcast the allegations to give the church an equal opportunity to respond, invoking the principle of audi alteram partem—“hear the other side.”
Church denies allegations of sexual misconduct
The Congregation of Yahweh said it does not trivialise allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly where a child is allegedly involved, but maintained that allegations must be subjected to proper investigation and supported by credible evidence.
It described itself as an institution founded on principles of purity, discipline, modesty, righteousness and reverence for Yahweh Almighty.
The church consequently rejected any suggestion that its leadership or institutional structure promotes, tolerates or conceals sexual immorality, incest or violence.
It argued that serious allegations should not be treated as established facts merely because they had been aired publicly.
Church disputes Diuto’s allegation
On Diuto Okwuonu’s allegation of attempted sexual harassment and beating, the church described the claim as completely false.
It stated that no member of its leadership had sexually harassed, made sexual advances towards or beaten her.
The congregation further claimed that no such incident was reported to the church or any lawful authority before what it described as the recent media campaign.
Allegation involving Ugomma and other sisters denied
The church also strongly rejected Ugomma Okwuonu’s allegation that she and two other sisters were sexually abused and allegedly “passed from one brother to another.”
It described the allegation as “grievous” and defamatory, insisting that no member identified as Bro. Emmanuel had any sexual relationship with Ugomma.
According to the church, Emmanuel was betrothed to Susana Okwuonu alone and had no other relationship of the nature alleged.
The congregation said the allegation could damage Emmanuel’s marriage, faith and reputation within the church and wider community.
It maintained that matters involving alleged sexual abuse should be established through forensic investigation and other appropriate evidence rather than media reports.
However, the church also made reference to what it described as previous allegations made by Ugomma against distant relatives, characterising them as “false narratives.”
Church explains Amara’s discontinued education
On the allegation by Amara Okwuonu, the eldest of the sisters, that the General Overseer maltreated her and caused her university education in Ghana to be discontinued after the annulment of her marriage, the church also denied wrongdoing.
The congregation said the decision concerning her scholarship was not a punitive measure arising from the annulment of her marriage.
It explained that the decision was allegedly reached collectively and was influenced by family resources, concerns about academic conduct and moral standards at the time, as well as conditions attached to the institutional support.
The church said it was therefore misleading to portray the matter as an act of persecution.
Dispute over Susana’s marriage and child custody
The statement also addressed allegations involving Susana Okwuonu, described by the church as the former wife of Brother Emmanuel.
The congregation alleged that Susana abandoned her matrimonial home and child for more than two years without lawful justification before returning to seek custody.
It further alleged that she was using allegations of sexual misconduct involving her sisters in pursuing the matter.
The church, however, maintained that the welfare and best interests of the child should remain paramount and should not become a means of settling personal disputes.
Church rejects Union Bank claim
The congregation also denied an allegation concerning Mrs. Naomi Okwuonu’s employment with Union Bank.
According to the church, it did not instruct Mrs. Okwuonu to resign from the bank.
It claimed that, at the time, Union Bank was undergoing a general staff rationalisation and downsizing exercise, which it said affected her disengagement.
The church further stated that any subsequent decision concerning her employment or pension benefits was a personal decision.
Church alleges cyberbullying, breach of peace
Beyond the allegations of misconduct, the Congregation of Yahweh accused the former members and their mother of engaging in what it described as continuous defamatory commentaries, insults, name-calling and online videos targeting the church, its General Overseer and her family.
It alleged that the activities had exposed the church and its members to public ridicule and contempt.
The congregation further claimed that the peace of its estate had been disrupted, alleging that Ugomma had been seen on several occasions around the family residence with unidentified persons.
According to the statement, the matter had already been reported at the Festac Police Division.
The church said it had preserved copies of YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook publications relating to the controversy for possible legal purposes.
Church highlights years of assistance to family
The Congregation of Yahweh also sought to counter what it described as an incomplete portrayal of its relationship with the Okwuonu family.
It listed several forms of assistance it claimed to have provided the family over the years, including free accommodation, feeding and basic necessities, educational expenses, general welfare and medical assistance.
The church also claimed that it facilitated an all-expenses-paid pilgrimage or trip to Israel for the family’s father through its support.
According to the congregation, the history of assistance was relevant to understanding the relationship between the church and the family.
It added that leaving the church remained a personal choice that it respected, but argued that such departure should not be used as a basis to “rewrite history.”
Legal action may follow
The church said it had briefed its legal representatives and was taking steps to protect its reputation, integrity and the rights of its members.
It said it was considering legal remedies under applicable defamation laws, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and Lagos State laws relating to domestic and sexual violence.
The congregation warned that, where sufficient legal grounds were established, it could pursue civil or criminal action against those responsible for what it described as false publications, as well as the facilitator, publisher and other platforms that continued to circulate what it considered unverified allegations.
It also called on all parties involved to preserve recordings, publications, social media posts and other relevant materials that could become evidence.
Appeal to media organisations
The church appealed to media organisations that had carried the allegations to grant it equal opportunity to respond.
It urged media platforms to refrain from presenting the allegations as established facts while the matter remained under police investigation.
The congregation also asked media organisations to preserve all recordings, reports, publications and related materials concerning the controversy.
It said it was willing to appear before reputable media platforms to present its position and provide what it described as verifiable facts.
The church stressed that it respected the media as an important pillar of democracy and an instrument for the pursuit of truth and justice.
It nevertheless urged journalists and media organisations to uphold fairness, balance, professional ethics and responsible journalism.
The Congregation of Yahweh maintained that it would not be intimidated or silenced by what it described as narratives that did not reflect the truth, expressing confidence that the ongoing process would ultimately establish the facts.
The allegations made by the former members and their mother, as well as the church’s counter-allegations, remain matters for the appropriate authorities to investigate and determine.
Leave a Reply