Seven
years after the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly,
Lagos, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, aka Reverend King, was convicted for murder
and attempted murder, FOLASHADE ADEBAYO attended a service in the church. Read her encounter below:
years after the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly,
Lagos, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, aka Reverend King, was convicted for murder
and attempted murder, FOLASHADE ADEBAYO attended a service in the church. Read her encounter below:
Last Sunday was another anniversary
celebration of the Christian Praying Assembly, Isolo, Lagos. But as at 9
am when our correspondent got there, the imposing three black gates of
the church were still shut. If not for a number of cars parked opposite
the church and a middle-aged man who stood by one of the imposing gates,
praying earnestly, one would have concluded that the church, founded by
the convicted Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, also known as Rev. King, was on a
recess.
celebration of the Christian Praying Assembly, Isolo, Lagos. But as at 9
am when our correspondent got there, the imposing three black gates of
the church were still shut. If not for a number of cars parked opposite
the church and a middle-aged man who stood by one of the imposing gates,
praying earnestly, one would have concluded that the church, founded by
the convicted Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, also known as Rev. King, was on a
recess.
Rev. King was convicted and sentenced to
death for murder and attempted murder in 2007 by a Lagos High Court. He
was said to have doused six members of his church members, including one
Uzoh, with petrol for acts of fornication. Uzoh died on August 2, 2006.
Last year, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, upheld the judgment.
death for murder and attempted murder in 2007 by a Lagos High Court. He
was said to have doused six members of his church members, including one
Uzoh, with petrol for acts of fornication. Uzoh died on August 2, 2006.
Last year, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, upheld the judgment.
But more than seven years after his conviction, the beat still goes on at his church.
Approaching the man by the gate, our
correspondent made to go inside the church. She was quickly waved aside
by the man who directed her opposite the church where two men stood,
praying against activities of witches and wizards.
correspondent made to go inside the church. She was quickly waved aside
by the man who directed her opposite the church where two men stood,
praying against activities of witches and wizards.
Our correspondent, who had earlier
visited the church last Friday to take pictures, sauntered to join the
men in their muted prayers. That Sunday, she was no more a journalist.
She decided to come in as a member of the church to experience how
service unfolds now that King is away.
visited the church last Friday to take pictures, sauntered to join the
men in their muted prayers. That Sunday, she was no more a journalist.
She decided to come in as a member of the church to experience how
service unfolds now that King is away.
Apart from the cries of children, no
sound came from the temple – a matter that spiked the curiosity of our
correspondent. For a long time, the men, who spotted slight goatees,
prayed.
sound came from the temple – a matter that spiked the curiosity of our
correspondent. For a long time, the men, who spotted slight goatees,
prayed.
“Every activity of witches and wizards in
my kidney, my liver, stop right now in the name of Jesus. Stop in the
name of my Daddy G.O,’’ prayed one man. By this time, three other
worshippers had joined the queue outside the church.
my kidney, my liver, stop right now in the name of Jesus. Stop in the
name of my Daddy G.O,’’ prayed one man. By this time, three other
worshippers had joined the queue outside the church.
After 30 minutes, a voice was heard over
the microphone bringing the prayer to a close. A hefty man who had also
been standing opposite the church approached the heavy gate and slightly
opened it. Quickly, worshippers who had been waiting outside filed in.
the microphone bringing the prayer to a close. A hefty man who had also
been standing opposite the church approached the heavy gate and slightly
opened it. Quickly, worshippers who had been waiting outside filed in.
The CPA is an expansive church indeed. It
was almost filled to capacity. Our correspondent noted that there were
no children’s classes. Children and teenagers sat inside the church with
the adults. This Sunday, the pillars of the church were decorated in
the national colours of green and white. Fat coolers containing food and
crates of soft drinks occupied a large section at the back of the
church. It was the 2014 anniversary celebration of the CPA.
was almost filled to capacity. Our correspondent noted that there were
no children’s classes. Children and teenagers sat inside the church with
the adults. This Sunday, the pillars of the church were decorated in
the national colours of green and white. Fat coolers containing food and
crates of soft drinks occupied a large section at the back of the
church. It was the 2014 anniversary celebration of the CPA.
Contrary to what might be the
expectations of some people, the absence of Rev King, whose life-size
pictures graced every available space in the premises, had little or no
effect on the number of worshippers. It was obvious that the
incarcerated clergyman still commands a tight rein on his loyal flock.
expectations of some people, the absence of Rev King, whose life-size
pictures graced every available space in the premises, had little or no
effect on the number of worshippers. It was obvious that the
incarcerated clergyman still commands a tight rein on his loyal flock.
Testimonies and announcement began with
phrases such as, ‘Our G.O is the mighty healer, he lives forever in
Jesus’ name.’ Our G.O is the unchangeable changer. Our daddy G.O shall
live forever for us in Jesus’ name.’
phrases such as, ‘Our G.O is the mighty healer, he lives forever in
Jesus’ name.’ Our G.O is the unchangeable changer. Our daddy G.O shall
live forever for us in Jesus’ name.’
Worshippers were gaily dressed and
appeared happy throughout the service. Choir members looked distinct in
angelic white gowns and white turbans. However, a uniform attire stood
out of the pack. It was an Ankara fabric with a picture of Rev King.
Written on the fabric, which was sewn into different styles by many of
the members, was, “The man of the moment. His holiness, the most
honorable Dr Rev King, General Overseer, CPA Worldwide. I am healthy and
wealthy.’
appeared happy throughout the service. Choir members looked distinct in
angelic white gowns and white turbans. However, a uniform attire stood
out of the pack. It was an Ankara fabric with a picture of Rev King.
Written on the fabric, which was sewn into different styles by many of
the members, was, “The man of the moment. His holiness, the most
honorable Dr Rev King, General Overseer, CPA Worldwide. I am healthy and
wealthy.’
Only two people officiated throughout the
protracted service. There was no formal sermon, only 31 messages or
items purportedly sent by King to his church were delivered. The
officiating minister was on item six when our correspondent arrived.
protracted service. There was no formal sermon, only 31 messages or
items purportedly sent by King to his church were delivered. The
officiating minister was on item six when our correspondent arrived.
Solemnly, he read out the message, repeating every word where necessary.
“There is someone here in the entire CPA
worldwide. Your problem is that when you deliver a child, the child will
die. God has delivered you from this menace as a result of His blessing
upon CPA worldwide. You shall from today give birth to children that
will live,’’ he declared. The declaration was greeted with loud
clapping.
worldwide. Your problem is that when you deliver a child, the child will
die. God has delivered you from this menace as a result of His blessing
upon CPA worldwide. You shall from today give birth to children that
will live,’’ he declared. The declaration was greeted with loud
clapping.
“Anything you eat or drink here today
will remove diseases and stroke from your body’, ‘Any blocked ear here
today shall be opened through this refreshment.’ ‘Will poverty remain?
No, it must go with its brothers and sisters.”
will remove diseases and stroke from your body’, ‘Any blocked ear here
today shall be opened through this refreshment.’ ‘Will poverty remain?
No, it must go with its brothers and sisters.”
Each declaration came with a different
requirement. While some read like a prayer, to which members chorused
‘Amen’, some requested members to pray for 15 minutes, five minutes or
sing for “at least 30 minutes to one hour.”
requirement. While some read like a prayer, to which members chorused
‘Amen’, some requested members to pray for 15 minutes, five minutes or
sing for “at least 30 minutes to one hour.”
It was observed that aside the standard
rule of locking out of members during prayers, there was a general
feeling of liberty among members. For instance, while some prayed
standing up, the majority sat down and prayed unconvincingly with their
eyes open. Some did not even pray.
rule of locking out of members during prayers, there was a general
feeling of liberty among members. For instance, while some prayed
standing up, the majority sat down and prayed unconvincingly with their
eyes open. Some did not even pray.
The dressing pattern was also generally
far from conservative. Mini skirts, sleeveless clothing and skin-tight
dresses flooded the church. One or two men, even male choir members,
spotted dreadlocks.
far from conservative. Mini skirts, sleeveless clothing and skin-tight
dresses flooded the church. One or two men, even male choir members,
spotted dreadlocks.
But the church came alive with King’s
instruction to sing, dance and shake hands with one another. In item 27,
he ordered worshippers to “sing a song of praises and shouts of praises
to our God up to 30 minutes for this anniversary of today. Let us shake
hands with one another.’
instruction to sing, dance and shake hands with one another. In item 27,
he ordered worshippers to “sing a song of praises and shouts of praises
to our God up to 30 minutes for this anniversary of today. Let us shake
hands with one another.’
Members left their seats at the front,
shaking hands and swaying their bodies in every direction. That was a
brief ‘meet and greet’ moment which afforded members an opportunity to
fraternise. They brought out smart phones, ipads and cameras and freely
migrated to the back of the church to take shots. That was a great
opportunity for our correspondent to also take photographs.
shaking hands and swaying their bodies in every direction. That was a
brief ‘meet and greet’ moment which afforded members an opportunity to
fraternise. They brought out smart phones, ipads and cameras and freely
migrated to the back of the church to take shots. That was a great
opportunity for our correspondent to also take photographs.
Testimonies were read out by the same man. One of the testimonies came from a man who claimed to have been healed of diabetes.
“I used to urinate anyhow. The first day I
came to CPA, I was able to stay without urinating throughout the
service. During the G.O’s message, he said diseases could not kill us
whether we drank it through water or breathe it in the air. Our daddy
G.O lives forever in Jesus’ name.”
came to CPA, I was able to stay without urinating throughout the
service. During the G.O’s message, he said diseases could not kill us
whether we drank it through water or breathe it in the air. Our daddy
G.O lives forever in Jesus’ name.”
The announcement of activities for this
week was however read by a woman. She mounted the altar and first prayed
that, “Our Daddy G.O shall live forever for us in Jesus’ name.”
week was however read by a woman. She mounted the altar and first prayed
that, “Our Daddy G.O shall live forever for us in Jesus’ name.”
Pregnant women are expected at the church
for ante natal classes on Wednesday by 4:30pm, a vigil was slated for
Thursday night. The children’s church comes up on Friday by 4pm while
members were mandated to hold Bible study in every home this Saturday
for at least one hour.
for ante natal classes on Wednesday by 4:30pm, a vigil was slated for
Thursday night. The children’s church comes up on Friday by 4pm while
members were mandated to hold Bible study in every home this Saturday
for at least one hour.
Parents were instructed to see one
Sylvester King for the collection of the CPA’s child dedication
certificate. The announcer dedicated ample time to remind members of the
G.O’s special offering which comes up next Sunday. Grace, Fire and
Disciplinarian ministries were also reminded of their thanksgiving next
Sunday.
Sylvester King for the collection of the CPA’s child dedication
certificate. The announcer dedicated ample time to remind members of the
G.O’s special offering which comes up next Sunday. Grace, Fire and
Disciplinarian ministries were also reminded of their thanksgiving next
Sunday.
When the officiating minister returned to
the podium, it was to read the ‘G.O’s dismissal prayer’. But that was
after he read out item 31 from their convicted cleric: “I will stop
right now until next time. I love you all in Jesus’ name.’’
the podium, it was to read the ‘G.O’s dismissal prayer’. But that was
after he read out item 31 from their convicted cleric: “I will stop
right now until next time. I love you all in Jesus’ name.’’