SaharaReporters reports that the National Agency for Prohibition Of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences (NAPTIP) in February confirmed the ongoing probe of the cleric.
Some members of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Wuse, Abuja, have expressed their grievances over the leadership’s alleged failure to take action against one of its clerics, Rev. Nashon Azaki, who is accused of sexual harassment and financial misconduct.
SaharaReporters reports that the National Agency for Prohibition Of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences (NAPTIP) in February confirmed the ongoing probe of the cleric.
NAPTIP spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye had noted that: “A petition was written to the Agency on an allegation against somebody in ECWA church. All parties in the matter were invited for interrogation and further investigation continues.”
There has been disquiet in the church over the past few months, with some members alleging cover up by the leadership and failure to sanction the minister, despite recommendations from an investigative committee which called for his transfer.
The crisis began in early January 2025, when concerned church members submitted a petition to ECWA Headquarters calling for Rev. Azaki’s removal due to the accusations against him.
The petition was supported by a letter from Dr. George Ogunyomi, a legal practitioner acting on behalf of the members.
In the letter, sent on February 3, 2025, Ogunyomi accused the pastor of breaching ECWA’s ethical guidelines and criticised the leadership for allowing him to remain in his position despite the evidence of misconduct.
Members of the church have noted that the leadership’s failure to act has only made the situation worse.
“Azaki, who is under investigation by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), continues to lead one of ECWA’s largest congregations while on administrative bail,” one of the members said.
Other members pointed out that a person facing such criminal allegations “would not be allowed to hold a position in government or public service, yet the church’s leadership has failed to remove him”.
According to the concerned members, “the saga began on January 6, 2025, when a petition was filed with ECWA Headquarters, asking for Rev. Azaki’s transfer. The Garki District Church Council (DCC), under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Sampson Jonah, initially asked an unqualified board of elders to investigate the allegations. The board cleared Azaki of 13 of the 14 charges, without consulting the parties involved, and referred the sexual harassment allegation to the DCC for further investigation.”
However, the DCC’s investigation was marred by conflicts of interest, as the committee was composed largely of Rev. Azaki’s supporters, which led to objections from the petitioning members.
When the concerns were raised, the DCC Chairman referred the matter back to the same divided board of elders, which resulted in a deadlock. In response, some elders resigned, and others threatened to follow suit.
In an attempt to break the impasse, a meeting of about 30 members of both current and former elders, proposed the formation of an independent investigative committee.
But Rev. Jonah ignored the suggestion, and instead, accepted a report from a faction of five elders who cleared Rev. Azaki.
The ECWA Executive then intervened, directing that Rev Azaki be suspended and the DCC should appoint an independent committee chaired by Prof. Samson Shaibu.
The committee recommended that Rev. Azaki take a leave of absence and be transferred due to the growing tension in the church. Additionally, the committee suggested dissolving the board of elders, citing a deep divide within the leadership.
However, Rev. Jonah allegedly defied these recommendations, reinstating Rev. Azaki without consulting ECWA Headquarters and ignoring the Executive’s directives.
Critics argue that the board of inquiry, tasked with investigating administrative matters, had no authority to clear Rev. Azaki of criminal misconduct.
The members said the committee’s refusal to address the 13 allegations against the pastor only adds to the perception that the leadership is attempting to cover up his actions, rather than hold him accountable.
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Disquiet In ECWA Church Abuja As Members Demand Sanctions For Cleric Accused Of Misconduct – Sahara Reporters
