A Punch investigation has uncovered how false prophecies across Nigeria are destroying families, draining finances, and exploiting the emotionally vulnerable.
According to Punch reporting, an investigation by Chijioke Iremeka has revealed heartbreaking accounts of Nigerians whose lives were shattered by false prophecies and manipulative preachers posing as prophets.
The report detailed cases such as that of Perpetual Aigbe, whose family was torn apart after her daughter-in-law accused her of witchcraft based on a prophet’s claim, and engineer James Mbonu, who almost killed his stepbrother following “visions” that blamed relatives for his wife’s and child’s deaths.
In another account, 36-year-old Joyce Adejobi recounted how a prophetess’ revelation that she was a “spiritual wife” led to the collapse of her marriage.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) officials, including Abimbola Ayuba and Bishop Stephen Adegbite, condemned the exploitation of believers through fake revelations. Ayuba urged that “the pastor should be raptured into detention,” while Adegbite described such preachers as “fake.”
Religious scholars and clerics, including Rev. Victor Okafor, stressed that ignorance fuels deception, urging Christians to “test every spirit” and ground themselves in biblical truth.