From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The arraignment of eight pastors last weekend before a High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra state over alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025, has continued to generate mixed reactions from the people of the State.
A number of respondents see the development as an infringement on the right of the suspects to freedom of worship while some of other applauded the government for what they called sanitization effort.
The defendants are: Emeka Nwankpa who was said to be a former governorship aspirant in Abia State, Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
The charges against the pastors invoke two potent legal instruments: Sections 18(3) and 19(1) of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, which criminalise the misuse of places of worship for illicit activities and for public deception, and Section 3(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act (LFN 2006), commonly known as the 419 law.
They were brought before the court by operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba, led by Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ken Emeakayi.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), is leading the prosecution.
The arraignment comes amid state government’s ongoing crackdown on individuals it describes as fake pastors, native doctors and spiritualists allegedly involved in activities that promote criminality.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo had earlier disclosed that several suspects were in custody as part of the enforcement of the Homeland Security Law.
Speaking recently at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Soludo assured government intensified efforts against persons allegedly exploiting the public under the guise of religious activities.
“The state has commenced an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching the gospel of salvation without the cross. As I speak now, several of them are already in custody and confessing,” he said.
