By Wasila Yakubu
A senior leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Johnson Odesola, has challenged a Nigerian cleric to produce documentary evidence for his claim that former President Olusegun Obasanjo allocated oil wells to prominent Christian leaders, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Odesola, the church’s Continental Overseer for South West Nigeria and the Middle East, described the allegation as a serious claim that should not be treated as fact without verifiable proof.
His response followed a sermon by the founder and president of the Ministers’ Prayer Network, Rev. Mosy Madugba, in which he alleged that Obasanjo gave oil wells to Adeboye, Living Faith Church founder Bishop David Oyedepo and Deeper Christian Life Ministry leader Pastor William Kumuyi.
Madugba reportedly linked the alleged oil allocations to the establishment of universities, hospitals and schools by the clerics, as well as the acquisition of private aircraft by some religious leaders.
In his reaction, Odesola called for the release of official records that could establish whether the alleged transactions took place. He specifically requested government documents, petroleum licensing records and details of the companies supposedly involved.
He also asked Madugba to clarify whether he personally witnessed the alleged allocations, obtained information from credible sources or relied on documents.
Odesola maintained that the credibility of a religious leader does not automatically make every statement made from the pulpit factual, stressing that serious allegations must be supported by evidence.
He noted that information surrounding the circulating sermon had not produced publicly available documents showing that Adeboye received an oil well through Obasanjo’s administration.
However, he clarified that the absence of such documents in public reports did not prove that no records existed, but meant the allegation had not been substantiated publicly.
Explaining his decision to defend Adeboye, Odesola cited his more than 50 years of membership in RCCG and over four decades of working closely with the church's General Overseer.
He argued that the development of RCCG's educational and other institutions should not be presented as proof that Adeboye benefited from an alleged government oil allocation.
Odesola recalled that the church was established by Reverend Josiah Akindayomi, while Adeboye assumed leadership in 1981, following the founder's death in 1980.
He also referenced Adeboye's academic qualifications in Mathematics, Hydrodynamics and Applied Mathematics, alongside the church's decades of evangelism, missionary activities and financial contributions from members.
On Redeemer's University, Odesola explained that the institution was established by RCCG, received Federal Government approval in January 2005 and began academic operations in October of that year.
He insisted that the existence of the university and other church-owned institutions could not, on its own, establish that Adeboye personally received an oil well.
The RCCG overseer also questioned the assumption that aircraft used by prominent religious leaders necessarily belonged to them personally or were acquired through proceeds from alleged oil interests.
For the allegation to be properly investigated, he said the accuser should identify the specific oil block, the company granted the licence, its shareholders and beneficial owners, the date of the alleged allocation and the government agency responsible for approving it.
Odesola added that while religious institutions and their leaders should not be exempt from public scrutiny, those making specific allegations must take responsibility for providing supporting evidence.
He urged Madugba to release any documents backing his claims or explain the sources of his information. If the allegation proves inaccurate, he said, the cleric should be prepared to correct the record.
Odesola stressed that neither Adeboye nor any other religious leader should be considered above the law, but maintained that public accusations should not be mistaken for established facts.
He urged Nigerians to distinguish between claims that have been made and allegations that have been backed by credible evidence.
Wasila Yakubu
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