Ebonyi Police Arrest Pastor for Allegedly Exploiting 22-Year-Old Sickle Cell Patient During “Genotype Change” Prayer

 

General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral, Bishop Ndibueze Okorie Onyagoziri, accused of using spiritual healing as cover for abuse

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Bishop Ndibueze Okorie Onyagoziri, the General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral, over allegations of sexually exploiting a 22-year-old woman living with sickle cell disease. According to police reports, the cleric allegedly deceived the victim into believing that he could miraculously transform her genotype from SS to AA through a “divine cleansing” ritual that involved physical contact and multiple visits to his church.

Investigators revealed that the young woman, who was desperate for healing, had been receiving spiritual consultations from the bishop before the alleged exploitation occurred. The victim told police that Onyagoziri instructed her to undergo “spiritual purification sessions” as a prerequisite for her healing, claiming that the Holy Spirit required her to submit to private sessions of “deliverance.” Her family became suspicious after observing emotional distress and inconsistencies in her accounts of the supposed healing sessions.

In a statement, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect is in custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations. Ukandu emphasized the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and warned religious leaders against exploiting their positions of trust for personal or immoral gain. He assured that justice will be pursued “without fear or favor.”

Meanwhile, advocacy groups and women’s rights organizations in Ebonyi have condemned the incident, describing it as a heartbreaking example of how faith can be manipulated for predatory purposes. They called on authorities to intensify public awareness about such fraudulent spiritual claims, and urged churches and faith-based organizations to establish stronger ethical guidelines to protect worshippers from exploitation disguised as miracles.