N5m Donation Sparks Crisis at Celestial Church, Founder’s Son Disrupts Service

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The Acts of Apostle Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ in Ketu, Alapere, Lagos, has been embroiled in a crisis over a N5 million donation made by the church authority. Tensions boiled over during a recent Sunday service when Muyiwa Oluponna, an alleged son of the church’s founder, disrupted proceedings and sought to install himself as the parish shepherd.

Eyewitnesses report that Oluponna interrupted the sermon led by acting shepherd Adetayo Adetola, seizing the microphone and asserting his right to deliver sermons on the second Sunday of every month. This act escalated into a heated exchange captured in a viral video circulating on social media, which shows Oluponna arguing with church members.

Claim Over N5m Donation
The crux of the controversy centers on the N5 million donated by the church’s headquarters for renovations and the construction of a clergy house. Oluponna claimed the funds rightfully belonged to his family as the founders of the church. According to Adetola, who narrated the incident:

> “He (Oluponna) said the N5 million given to the church by the headquarters does not belong to the church but to the family of Oluponna. He also demanded that he be installed as the church shepherd and given the platform to deliver sermons every second Sunday of the month.”

Adetola recounted that he initially handed over the microphone out of respect but later resumed the sermon after Oluponna had spoken. However, Oluponna disrupted the service again by grabbing a microphone from one of the choristers and attempting to preach from the pulpit.

Escalation and Shutdown
The incident prompted the church authority, led by a task force headed by Akinbode Adjovi, to shut down the parish for 40 days to prevent further escalation. The parish’s shepherd, Emmanuel Iperepolu, stated that Oluponna’s actions were not new and that he had previously threatened church members perceived to oppose him.

Iperepolu explained:

> “Before the donation issue, he had been coming to the church to threaten and abuse me and others. Immediately after hearing about the donation, he demanded the money be handed over to the family, claiming the church belonged to them.”

 Church Authorities and Investigations
Kayode Ajala, Head of Media and Publicity for the Celestial Church of Christ, confirmed the temporary closure of the parish. He emphasized that the move was necessary to safeguard lives and ensure law and order while investigations are ongoing.

> “The church is a house of God, but when things are going wrong and lives are being threatened, we have to intervene. All parties involved in the conflict are being addressed, and the church will reopen once a resolution is reached,” Ajala stated.

 Oluponna’s Silence
When approached for comments, Muyiwa Oluponna declined to address the controversy, stating that it was a private matter between his family and the church.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions within and beyond the parish, raising questions about governance and the handling of financial donations within the Celestial Church of Christ. Church authorities and stakeholders are now working towards a resolution to restore peace and order to the embattled parish.

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