Asaba, Delta State – On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, a group of Archbishops and members of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries staged a protest at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) office in Asaba. The protest followed accusations levelled by NAFDAC against Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the General Overseer of the ministry, alleging that he used the agency’s name to deceive the public by selling “Miracle Water” and “Miracle Soap” with false healing claims.
The protesters, led by prominent religious leaders, argued that NAFDAC had overstepped its boundaries by targeting a faith-based organization engaged in spiritual practices. Speaking during the protest, Most Revd. Calixtus Oke, the Bishop of the Evangelical Church (Old Catholic) and Rector of Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Port Harcourt, condemned what he called a media trial of Prophet Jeremiah.
“We are here to speak out against the harassment of ministers, specifically Prophet Jeremiah Omoto, who has been unfairly targeted,” said Most Revd. Oke. “NAFDAC is overstepping its authority. The agency is supposed to regulate the production and sale of drugs, not religious sacramentals. Churches have always used items like oil, water, and candles for spiritual purposes, and this is recognized in Christian history.”
He further questioned the validity of NAFDAC’s claims, challenging the agency to provide scientific evidence to support its accusations. “If NAFDAC claims the water is fake, they need to prove it through testing. Otherwise, they have no right to label it as such. Spiritual materials like water, which are blessed for religious purposes, do not fall under NAFDAC’s regulatory jurisdiction.”
Most Revd. Oke also criticized the manner in which the agency handled the situation, describing it as confrontational. “NAFDAC should have invited Prophet Jeremiah for a dialogue instead of sealing his premises. This approach is disrespectful and intimidating to religious leaders.”
Most Revd. Professor Samuel N. Baaba, Metropolitan Archbishop of The Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, added that NAFDAC’s actions were premature. “The Church is a divine institution, and matters of faith should not be interfered with lightly. Faith involves belief in spiritual practices, and NAFDAC should have waited until the court proved anything beyond reasonable doubt before taking such drastic action,” he said.
Baaba expressed concerns that the agency might have been acting on biased information. “It seems like there were pre-existing prejudices against Prophet Jeremiah. If NAFDAC had properly investigated, they would have found that his practices were meant to help people through faith, not harm them.”
Most Revd. Dr. Chidi Ekemefuna Chuka, Archbishop of the Province of the East Orthodox Anglican Communion, defended Prophet Jeremiah’s use of religious items. “Prophets behave differently from pastors and have the right to use natural items like water, oil, and salt for spiritual purposes. If Prophet Jeremiah uses water as part of his ministry and it is not sold to the public, NAFDAC has no business intervening.”
Chuka further stressed that the closure of the water factory was harmful to the people relying on these spiritual materials. “Many people have testified to the healing powers of this water. Closing the factory puts lives at risk. This is a spiritual matter, and NAFDAC should not interfere in such matters unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”
As of press time, no NAFDAC officials were available to comment on the situation, and the agency has yet to respond to the claims made by the religious leaders. The protest marks a significant clash between regulatory authorities and faith-based organizations over the boundaries of spiritual practices and legal oversight.
