What would Jesus do?: A case study of VeryDarkMan, Apostle Arome Osayi, and the question of fake miracles in Nigeria
By Rev. Joseph Ashimolowo
The recent public controversy involving social commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM) and Apostle Arome Osayi has opened a much larger conversation for the Nigerian Church: How should Christians respond when ministers are challenged, when questionable claims are made from the pulpit, and when people accuse religious leaders of manipulating miracles?
This article is not written to declare VDM right or Apostle Arome wrong. Nor should allegations against any pastor be treated as established facts without evidence. Rather, the controversy provides an opportunity to ask a more important Christian question:
What would Jesus do?
1. The controversy must be separated from personal insults
Recent reports say VDM has publicly criticised Apostle Arome over statements concerning Nigeria’s spiritual calling, prayer, technological development and other theological matters. Reports also say that VDM mocked Arome’s facial palsy while challenging some of his teachings.
There is therefore a distinction that Christians must learn to make:
Criticism of a teaching is not necessarily an attack on Christianity.
A Christian leader can be questioned.
A sermon can be examined.
A prophetic claim can be tested.
A financial practice can be investigated.
A miracle testimony can be scrutinised.
But mockery, humiliation, abusive language and personal attacks are not the biblical model of Christian correction.
Jesus did not teach His disciples to answer every critic with another insult.
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
— Luke 6:28
At the same time, Jesus did not teach His followers to accept everything spoken in His name without examination.
2. Jesus Himself challenged religious hypocrisy
One of the strongest lessons from the ministry of Jesus is that love does not mean refusing to confront wrongdoing.
Jesus confronted religious hypocrisy.
He challenged corrupt religious practices.
He questioned traditions that contradicted God’s Word.
He warned people about false prophets.
He told His disciples:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing.”
— Matthew 7:15
Therefore, the Church should not be afraid of legitimate questions.
The question is not:
“How dare anyone question a pastor?”
The better question is:
“Can our ministry withstand honest biblical examination?”
3. The issue of fake miracles is serious
The discussion becomes even more important because there have been documented cases in Nigeria involving allegations of staged or fraudulent miracles.
For example, in June 2026, eight pastors in Anambra State were arraigned over allegations that they staged miracles using hired actors. The allegations included obtaining money by false pretence. The defendants were remanded while the legal process continued; allegations should not be confused with convictions.
In another case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reported an investigation into an alleged ₦70.3 million fraud involving a self-acclaimed prophet and claims surrounding supposed miracles and religious products.
Police in Ondo State also reported the arrest of six people accused of posing as pastors and staging fake miracles to deceive members of the public.
These cases do not mean that Christian miracles are fake.
They demonstrate something different:
Because deception exists, the Church must take truth, evidence and accountability seriously.
4. Genuine miracles should point people to Jesus
A genuine Christian miracle should never become an advertisement for the greatness of the minister.
The purpose of a miracle is not:
“Look how powerful I am.”
It is:
“Look what God has done.”
In Acts 3, when the lame man was healed, Peter immediately redirected attention away from himself:
“Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?”
— Acts 3:12
That is a powerful principle for contemporary ministry.
When God heals, Jesus receives the glory.
When God delivers, Jesus receives the glory.
When God provides, Jesus receives the glory.
When a minister becomes the centre of the miracle rather than Christ, the Church should pause and examine what is happening.
5. But VDM’s challenge also needs examination
VDM’s criticism raises legitimate questions about accountability, but the manner of presenting those questions matters.
Recent reporting says that VDM challenged Apostle Arome over his statements about Nigeria’s national spiritual calling and subsequently mocked him personally. Pastor Femi Lazarus publicly criticised the mockery while also stating that preachers are not always right and that disagreement can be handled honourably.
That distinction is important.
You can challenge the message without destroying the messenger.
You can say:
“I disagree with this teaching.”
without saying:
“You are worthless.”
You can ask:
“Where is the biblical evidence?”
without humiliating someone.
You can demand:
“Show us the evidence for this miracle.”
without mocking someone’s physical condition.
Christianity needs truth with character.
6. What should Apostle Arome and other ministers do?
If a minister is challenged publicly, the first response should not necessarily be anger.
The minister should ask:
Is there any truth in the criticism?
If yes, correct it.
Is the criticism based on misunderstanding?
If yes, explain the matter clearly.
Is the allegation false?
If yes, provide evidence and calmly establish the facts.
Is the criticism simply abusive?
If necessary, ignore the abuse rather than becoming abusive in return.
Paul gives an important principle:
“The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”
— 2 Timothy 2:24
7. What should VDM and other critics do?
Accountability is valuable.
But accountability must itself be accountable to truth.
Before accusing a pastor of fraud, a critic should ask:
What is the evidence?
Is the original video available?
Has the statement been taken out of context?
Are there independent witnesses?
Is there documentary evidence?
Has the accused been given an opportunity to respond?
Am I exposing wrongdoing—or simply creating another viral controversy?
The biblical principle is powerful:
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
— Exodus 20:16
A person fighting religious deception must not create another form of deception through unverified accusations.
8. The Church must recover the Berean spirit
Acts 17:11 describes the Bereans as people who received Paul’s teaching but searched the Scriptures daily to determine whether those things were so.
That is not rebellion.
That is spiritual maturity.
Christians should not believe something simply because:
a pastor said it;
a prophet said it;
a celebrity said it;
a viral video said it;
a large crowd accepted it.
Test it.
Paul wrote:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21
This principle is particularly important concerning prophecies, miracles, financial claims and supernatural testimonies.
9. Ministers must welcome accountability
The Nigerian Church needs a stronger culture of accountability.
Ministers should be willing to answer reasonable questions concerning:
finances;
testimonies;
miracle claims;
prophetic declarations;
treatment of members;
leadership structures;
use of offerings;
charitable activities;
ministry governance.
Accountability does not destroy an authentic ministry.
Accountability protects it.
A minister who says, “Don’t question me because I am God’s anointed,” risks creating an unhealthy environment.
David was God’s anointed, yet Nathan confronted him.
Peter was an apostle, yet Paul confronted Peter when he believed Peter’s conduct was inconsistent with the gospel (Galatians 2:11–14).
Spiritual authority does not eliminate moral responsibility.
10. Jesus would protect both truth and people
This may be the most important lesson.
Jesus would not endorse fraud.
Jesus would not approve manipulation.
Jesus would not celebrate false miracles.
Jesus would not approve humiliation.
Jesus would not teach His followers to retaliate with hatred.
Jesus would call everyone involved back to truth, repentance, humility, love and righteousness.
The Church therefore needs neither:
blind defence of ministers
nor
blind condemnation of ministers.
It needs discernment.
11. The real question is bigger than VDM and Apostle Arome
The controversy should not end with:
“Who won the argument?”
The deeper questions are:
Is Jesus being represented properly?
Are ministers accountable?
Are Christians willing to examine claims biblically?
Are critics willing to speak truthfully and respectfully?
Are miracle testimonies genuine and verifiable?
Are vulnerable people being protected from exploitation?
Is the Church producing disciples of Christ—or merely followers of personalities?
These questions are much more important than social-media victories.
12. A message to Nigerian pastors
Dear servants of God,
Do not fear examination.
Preach Christ.
Live transparently.
Keep proper records.
Welcome legitimate questions.
Do not manufacture testimonies.
Do not manipulate vulnerable people.
Do not use fear to control members.
Do not turn the pulpit into a platform for personal glorification.
And when you are criticised, remember that your character during criticism is also part of your testimony.
13. A message to critics and social commentators
Question wrongdoing.
Expose fraud.
Protect victims.
Demand evidence.
Investigate claims.
But do not allow the fight against religious hypocrisy to become another form of cruelty.
Attack the error, not the person’s humanity.
Challenge the claim, not someone’s disability.
Demand evidence without manufacturing accusations.
Speak truth without hatred.
14. What would Jesus do?
Perhaps the answer can be summarized in seven words:
Jesus would speak truth, love people, and glorify God.
He would confront hypocrisy.
He would defend the vulnerable.
He would expose deception.
He would forgive offenders.
He would refuse revenge.
He would call sinners to repentance.
And He would never make Himself less than the centre of the message.
Conclusion: The Church Must Choose Christ
The VDM–Apostle Arome controversy should become more than another Nigerian social-media battle.
Let it become a mirror for the Church.
Let pastors ask:
“Are we accountable?”
Let critics ask:
“Are we truthful?”
Let Christians ask:
“Have we tested what we believe?”
Let miracle ministers ask:
“Does this testimony glorify Jesus or glorify me?”
And let everyone ask the central question:
“WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”
If the answer is Jesus’ way, then our response must be governed by truth without hatred, correction without humiliation, accountability without malice, miracles without manipulation, leadership without pride, and ministry that continually points people back to Christ.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2
Note: The documented cases of alleged fake miracles cited above concern specific accused individuals and should not be generalized to Nigerian pastors or to Christian miracles as a whole. Likewise, criticism of Apostle Arome’s statements should be distinguished from proven wrongdoing; the publicly reported controversies remain matters requiring evidence, context and responsible discussion.
Reverend Joseph Ashimolowo is a Bible scholar and senior pastor of the Foursquare Gospel Church
