Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticized Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministry for threatening to arrest journalists and critics who report on his sermons.
In a strongly worded statement, Adeyanju expressed disappointment over the cleric’s remarks, questioning his stance against public scrutiny.
“I’m so disappointed in Papa David Ibiyeomie warning and threatening Nigerians not to talk or criticize him or his church else he will lock them up. Who are you sir that people can’t talk about your church or criticize you? People criticized Jesus and He did not lock them up. And boasting about using police to lock people up, a pastor ooo! These pastors are acting like unbelievers and de-marketing Christianity. They are the reason many people are no longer going to church,” Adeyanju wrote.
The backlash follows a viral video in which Pastor Ibiyeomie, during a sermon, issued a stern warning against journalists and bloggers reporting on his church activities.
“I’m warning because when I go after the people, they will send people to come and beg. So, I’m warning for the last time. I’ll arrest you. I’ll lock you up. I don’t care. No man of God will pray for you and succeed. I’m warning you. Don’t carry my news. Good or bad, don’t carry it. Don’t carry any news from this church. Even this one, don’t carry,” the Port Harcourt-based preacher declared.
Ibiyeomie accused some church members of conspiring with journalists to distort his sermons, leading to public criticism.
“You know what they do? They’ll carry news and excite other bloggers. And some of you in this church are part of it. They’ll plant you inside the church. You’ll listen to the message. Instead of getting blessed, you’ll pick one thing and twist it. Say what I did not say,” he claimed.
The pastor also made controversial remarks about retaliation, stating: “I don’t believe in slap here I turn here o. I don’t believe that kind of gospel. My gospel is before you slap me, I slap you. You better ask those who have had it with me.”
This is not the first time Pastor Ibiyeomie has stirred controversy with his statements.
Recently, he claimed that “Jesus never associated with the poor,” a remark that drew widespread condemnation from Christians who argued that his prosperity teachings contradict biblical principles.