Nigeria, August 13, 2016 – For allegedly castigating Christians, particularly the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), during the recent edition of “Nigeria Prays”, held at the National Stadium in Abuja, the Founder/Senior Pastor of Maranatha Churches in Jos, Bishop Jonas Katung, is now under fire.
A group of Christians in Nigeria, under the aegis of Patriotic Christian Youths of Nigeria (PCYN), said going by his antecedents, specially during the infamous Wonder Banks saga named Fadama Cooperative, Katung was unfit to pray for Christians because of his alleged involvement in the alleged wonder bank saga.
In a statement, President, Patriotic Christian Youth of Nigeria, Mr. Simon Timothy Nasso said the group is suspicious of the role he played to castigate the church and leadership as a way of providing him succor against his ongoing trial on fraud which affected the same church he claims to pray for.
“But we wondered why playing such role so early and at a program that is organized by the Presidency that is fighting corrupt persons”, the group said.
Katung is on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for N11. 5 billion fraud along with Managing Director of Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Irmiya Jatau. The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud over 64,000 customers of the defunct Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society to the tune of N11.5 bn.
Several calls and SMS to Bishop Katung to respond to the issues raised by the group were not replied as at the time of going to press.
The President of PCYN, Simon Timothy Nasso, in a letter to Katung, obtained by journalists on Saturday in Abuja, accused him of allegedly squandering and siphoning billions of Naira and purchased properties in many parts of the world, an action for which he faced trial in Court.
Our correspondent recalls that the prayer session held on July 21 2016, was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche represented by the Archbishop of Abuja, Oche Job; Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude and Deputy President of PFN, Pastor Paul Adefarasin.
Some other Ministers of God who graced the programme include the Vice President of CAN, Prof. Joseph Otubu; General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye (represented by Head of Abuja and Northern Region), Emmanuel Ibitayo); the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church (Aka Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo; General Overseer of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi and Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh.
Others are Bishop Wale Oke of the Christ Life Church; General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Dr. D. K. Olukoya and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche.
The letter reads: “Greeting in the Name of our faithful and gracious Lord Jesus Christ;
May we start by thanking God for providing you an opportunity to be back to the society after the mess you consciously or unconsciously found yourself in. We write to draw your attention to the role you played at the just concluded Christians Prayer Program in Abuja tagged, ‘Nigeria Prays’ held at the National Stadium Abuja.
“Ordinarily, we would have no reason to make any comment on Nigeria Prays, a special prayer that was organized by the Aso Villa Chapel in concert with other denominations and Christian leaders but the nature of the program and the types of prayers offered gave us reasons to look back and reconsider the type of things that transpired at the well publicized prayer program.
“It is a known fact that the major agenda of the President Mohammed Buhari is to fight against corruption and instill discipline in the polity. But it is surprising to now realise that you were even given a prominent role of offering a special prayer for the unity of the church and her leadership despite your antecedent.
“We are suspicious that the role given you was a henchman job to castigate the church and leadership as a way of providing you succor against your ongoing trial on fraud which affected the same church you claim to pray for. But we wondered why playing such role so early and at a program that is organized by the Presidency that is fighting corrupt persons?
“We strongly believed that the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo who himself is a Pastor was misled through believing that you are a true Pastor without the stain you carry around.
“For the record; you were scheduled to lead a special session of prayer for the Nigerian Church, and to impress your guests whom you believe should not be pleased with the umbrella body of the church; the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), you led a prayer that castigated CAN and projected her as corrupt and that “God should call the leaders to Him” and spoke as if you forgot were you were coming from and the fact that your character and trial is in the public glare. You stood on your sin to see the sin of the church body! What an unfortunate prayer you prayed there!
“We are not in any way trying to defend the CAN leadership for whatever prayer allegations you stated against them but we are in a serious doubt as to the fact that you had the courage and guts to be the one to offer such prayer. That prayer also goes to question the credibility of the organizers of the prayer meeting. We doubt strongly the possibility of God answering such self seeking prayers in a nationwide Christians gathering hence it did not go beyond the sound it created.
“You misled ignorant and faithful believers to say “amen” to the false prayers you offered. Did you forget where you came from? Or you are confirming the Bible description as“wolf in sheep clothing”? We hope in your attempt to impress the public you did not forget that you are the founder and promoter of the banned Wonders Bank named Fadama Cooperative with branches all over the country. You took advantage of ignorant Nigerians (our members inclusive) that saw you as a respected person and invested in the so called cooperative.
“You squandered and siphoned billions of Naira and purchased properties in many parts of the world. You forgot too that as at today, you are standing trial in a High Court in Jos for corruption, breach of trust and cheating related issues. How could you; a person who has just been released on bail be the most suitable person for such a prayer in such meeting?
“We want to state categorically clear that Mr Vice President has been misled towards choosing a corrupt personality who just contributed in discrediting the whole prayer program instead of adding any value to the meeting. And we must say that unfortunately God forbids such prayer and will not answer same. We did not blame you wholly for misusing such opportunity but those who invited you there. The religious leaders in position of authority were not mindful of the kind of persons they project to the public.
“You would have taken advantage of such program to make a public confession, asked for God and the public forgiveness and also encourage love and unity rather than projecting a false righteousness and demonizing others. As Patriotic Christian Youths of Nigeria, we will continue to stand for and speak the truth no matter whoever will be offended by our admonition. May God help you to reconsider your ways while the grace abound.”
