AWKA — The Anambra State Government has officially called on residents to provide credible evidence and information against individuals masquerading as clergy to aid in ongoing investigations and prosecutions of "fake" pastors and churches.

Expanding the "War Against Criminality"

This directive, issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, marks an expansion of the state’s broader security initiative. Previously focused on ridding the state of fraudulent native doctors, the "Solution Government" under Governor Chukwuma Soludo is now targeting individuals using religious institutions as a cover for criminal activities, including extortion, fraud, deception, and acts that endanger public safety.

"The government is calling on Ndị Anambra and all residents with credible information on pastors, churches, or so-called ‘men of God’ involved in criminality... to speak up," the statement read. The government has guaranteed that all submissions will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

Recent Legal Actions

The call for evidence follows a series of high-profile arrests and legal proceedings:

  • Mass Arraignment: On June 5, 2026, eight pastors were arraigned before Justice Jude Obiorah at the High Court in Awka. They face charges of violating the Anambra State Homeland Security Law (2025), specifically for allegedly hiring paid actors to stage fraudulent miracles. They are currently remanded at the Amawbia Correctional Centre, with bail hearings set for June 15, 2026.

  • Specific Allegations: On Friday, June 12, operatives arrested Pastor Harrison Charles, the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha. He is accused of severe violations, including sexual misconduct, child marriage, and the forceful abduction of church members' wives.

Restoring Sanity to Religious Practices

Dr. Mefor emphasized that these measures are intended to protect the integrity of genuine religious and traditional worship by removing "criminals hiding under religion, culture, and tradition."

The state government has established dedicated hotlines for residents to report suspicious activities: +2348034182108 or 5111.