The Nigeria Police have summoned a critic of Apostle Johnson Suleiman for questioning over comment he made debunking claim by the clergy that Angels credited bank account of his members.
A statement by Inibehe Effiong, counsel to Israel Balogun, the critic who disputed the miracle money claim, says the police invitation was an intimidation against his client.
Effiong says the invitation is from the Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Abuja, was signed by ACP YY Abubakar.
The statement which gives the background of the case, reads
“Our client, Mr. Israel Goodnews Balogun, has received an invitation from the Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja signed by ACP Y. Y. Abubakar, to report for interview on 11th August, 2021 over an alleged case of “Criminal Defamation and Cyberstalking.
“The invitation follows a threat issued to our client by lawyers to Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Founder of Omega Fire Ministries, over the views expressed by our client in which he disavowed the baseless, false, unsubstantiated and ridiculous miracle money claims repeatedly made by Apostle Suleman during his ministrations in Atlanta, United States of America and in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.
“Apostle Suleman during the said ministrations claimed that he commanded Angels to send money mysteriously to worshippers. In a comical display, some worshippers came out with their phones to meet him in the pulpit to ‘testify’ that they had received credit alerts from the unseen Angels” as commanded by Suleman. As a true believer of the undiluted gospel of Jesus Christ, our client found the miracle money claims to be contrary to Biblical doctrines and the tenets of Christianity and came out to disavow the claims of Apostle Suleman by debunking same.
“Enraged by the views of our client, Suleman briefed his lawyers to write to our client to demand that our client should apologize within seven (7) days. Although the letter from his solicitors is dated 27th July, 2021, it was sent to our client via WhatsApp on 3rd August, 2021.
“We have responded to the demand letter from Suleman. If he decides to go ahead to institute a civil action against our client for “defamation of character”, we will be happy to meet him and his miracle money Angels in court.
“However, it is important to alert the public, civil society, media and the international community that barely 24 hours after the solicitors to Mr. Suleman had written to our client, an invitation letter was received by our client from the Nigeria Police Force.
“We have advised our client as law abiding citizens to honour the police invitation; while hoping that the police will act professionally and respect the constitutional rights of our client.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police to save the country from the ensuing embarrassment and the damage the actions of the police in this case may do to the image of the country before the international community.
“Nigeria is currently facing severe financial and economic challenges, Apostle Suleman should help the country out of her predicament by commanding his “Angels” to assist the country with his so-called miracle money.
“The Angels should credit the Federation Account with enough funds to help the country meet its urgent financial obligations.
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We hope responsible and God fearing Christian leaders in Nigeria will have the courage to speak out against the desecration of their faith.
The eyes of the nation and the world are on the Nigeria Police Force.
Inibehe Effiong
Counsel to Israel Balogun”