**”Many people have testified to the healing powers of the Miracle water,. Closing the factory puts lives at risk, Says ArchBishop Dr. Chuka
*””As Prof. Baaba expresses concern over NAFDAC’s action as Acting on Biased information against Prophet Fufeyin
Following the recent allegation and investigation ongoing by NAFDAC on the miracle water being used by the founder and minister in charge of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries International in Warri, Delta State, Senior Project Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin a Minister of God, Most Rev. Calixtus Oke says NAFDAC overstepping its authority, insisting that the agency is supposed to regulate the production and sale of drugs, not religious sacramentals.
Most Revd. Calixtus Oke who is also the Bishop of the Evangelical Church (Old Catholic) and Rector of Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Port Harcourt, Tuesday September 10, 2024 in Asaba at NAFDAC premises strongly condemned what he called a media trial of Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin.
While showing total support to Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, Bishop Oke and other of his colleagues Bishops as well as some members of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries International joined in the peaceful rally stating that Churches have always used items like oil, water, and candles for spiritual purposes, and that it is recognized in Christian history.
Bishop Oke further questioned the validity of NAFDAC’s claims, challenging the agency to provide scientific evidence to support its accusations. “If NAFDAC claims the water is fake, they need to prove it through testing. Otherwise, they have no right to label it as such. Spiritual materials like water, which are blessed for religious purposes, do not fall under NAFDAC’s regulatory jurisdiction.”
He criticized the manner in which the agency handled the situation, describing it as confrontational. According to him “NAFDAC should have invited Prophet Fufeyin for a dialogue instead of sealing his premises. This approach is disrespectful and intimidating to religious leaders.”
Most Revd. Dr. Chidi Ekemefuna Chuka, Archbishop of the Province of the East Orthodox Anglican Communion, defended Prophet Jeremiah’s use of religious items. Positing “Prophets behave differently from pastors and have the right to use natural items like water, oil, and salt for spiritual purposes. If Prophet Jeremiah uses water as part of his ministry and it is not sold to the public, NAFDAC has no business intervening.”
Dr. Chuka stressed that the closure of the water factory was harmful to the people relying on these spiritual materials. “Many people have testified to the healing powers of this water. Closing the factory puts lives at risk. This is a spiritual matter, and NAFDAC should not interfere in such matters unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”
Most Revd. Professor Samuel Baaba, Metropolitan Archbishop of The Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, added that NAFDAC’s actions were premature. “The Church is a Divine institution, and matters of Faith should not be interfered with lightly. Faith involves belief in spiritual practices and NAFDAC should have waited until the Court proved anything beyond reasonable doubt before taking such drastic action,” he stressed..
Prof. Baaba expressed concerns that the agency might have been acting on biased information. “It seems like there were pre-existing prejudices against Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, If NAFDAC had properly investigated, they would have found that his practices were meant to help people through Faith, not harm them.”.
Despite the heavy rain Faithfuls were not deterred from processing to the NAFDAC premises, even as our correspondent reports that NAFDAC has yet to respond to the claims made by the religious leaders.
The protest marks a significant clash between regulatory authorities and Faith-based organizations over the boundaries of spiritual practices and legal oversight.
