Produce The Documents: RCCG Overseer F!res Back Over Allegation Against Pastor Adeboye

The Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for South-West Nigeria and the Middle East, Johnson Odesola, has challenged the founder of the Ministers’ Prayer Network, Reverend Mosy Madugba, to provide evidence for his allegation that former President Olusegun Obasanjo allocated oil wells to prominent Nigerian pastors, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Odesola made the demand in an opinion article published on November 10, describing the allegation as serious and insisting that it should be supported by verifiable documentary evidence.

Madugba had reportedly made the claim during a sermon circulating on social media, alleging that Obasanjo allocated oil wells to Adeboye, founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, and Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

The cleric reportedly linked the alleged oil interests to the establishment of universities, hospitals and schools by the religious leaders, as well as the acquisition of private aircraft by some of them.

Reacting to the claims, Odesola called on Madugba to present official government documents, petroleum licensing records and company ownership information capable of establishing that the alleged allocations took place.

He also asked the cleric to explain how he obtained the information, whether he personally witnessed the transactions or relied on official records and credible sources.

Odesola maintained that making an allegation during a religious gathering does not automatically make it factual, regardless of the speaker’s reputation or position in the Christian community.

He further argued that reports surrounding the circulating sermon had not presented documentary evidence connecting Obasanjo to the alleged allocation of an oil well to Adeboye.

According to him, the absence of publicly available evidence does not necessarily establish that no such documents exist, but it means the allegation remains unsubstantiated in the public domain.

Explaining his decision to address the controversy, Odesola highlighted his longstanding relationship with the RCCG, noting that he had been a member of the church for more than five decades and had worked closely with Adeboye for over four decades.

He argued that the growth of the church and the establishment of its educational and other institutions should not be presented as proof that its General Overseer benefited from an alleged political allocation of oil wells.

Odesola recalled that the RCCG was founded by Reverend Josiah Akindayomi, while Adeboye became its General Overseer in 1981 following the founder’s death in 1980.

He also highlighted Adeboye’s academic background in Mathematics, Hydrodynamics and Applied Mathematics, attributing the expansion of the church to years of evangelism, missionary activities and financial contributions from its members.

Speaking about Redeemer’s University, Odesola said the institution was established by the RCCG after obtaining Federal Government approval in January 2005, with academic activities commencing in October of the same year.

He insisted that the existence of the university and other church-owned facilities did not constitute evidence that Adeboye personally received an oil well.

The RCCG leader also questioned the assumption that private aircraft used by religious leaders necessarily indicated personal ownership or proved that they were acquired through alleged oil interests.

He maintained that any serious investigation into the allegation should establish the identity of the alleged oil block, the company responsible for issuing the licence, its shareholders and beneficial owners, the date of allocation and the government authority that approved the transaction.

Odesola further argued that the responsibility to substantiate a specific allegation rests primarily with the individual making the claim, adding that the church should not be expected to respond extensively to every controversy circulating on social media.

However, he acknowledged that the church and relevant authorities should address legitimate concerns if credible evidence eventually emerges.

He urged Madugba to make any supporting documents public or explain the basis of his allegation, adding that the cleric should be willing to correct the record if his information proves inaccurate.

Odesola stressed that his defence of Adeboye and the RCCG should not be interpreted as suggesting that religious leaders are above scrutiny or the law.

He maintained that allegations involving public figures and religious institutions must be examined objectively and supported by evidence, urging Nigerians to distinguish between claims and established facts until verifiable proof is presented.