The Nigerian clergyman who made headlines for charging his church members N310k for a trip to heaven has explained why he did so in a recent interview with BBC Yoruba.
It can be recalled that Pastor Noah Abraham of Christ High Commission Ministry located at Araromi-Ugbesi in Omuo-Oke, Ekiti State, ordered his members to move into his church and pay the sum of N310k for a ticket to heaven.
A video of the house the members were staying was shared online at the time, and it was said that 40 people were camped at the church.
It was also gathered that some members sold their personal belongings to raise funds and prepare for the trip. After the video went viral, the Ekiti state police command invited the clergy for questioning.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Yoruba, Pastor Abraham admitted to it and disclosed that he got the authority of God whom he said called him to become a pastor. He further added that he made the declaration when he noticed that his members were suffering gravely.
He however noted that none of his members have paid the said trip.
His words,
“Truly I told my congregation to pay N310,000, I made the declaration when I noticed that my members’ troubles were increasing.
“I did it because I got the authority of God who called me to practice for all that want to serve the Lord with their whole heart. I have never received any payment yet from any member of the church, and the Ekiti State Police has intervened in the matter.
“I was called by the police for Investigation and all the members of the church were there and all of them took notes of what happened.“
