Primate Ayodele Denies N150m Extortion Allegations Against Minister

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied allegations that he attempted to extort N150 million from Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu. According to Adelabu, he petitioned the Department of State Services after Ayodele allegedly asked him to purchase 1,000 trumpets costing N150 million. Adelabu claims that his refusal to comply prompted Ayodele to prophesy that he would not become governor of Oyo State.

Ayodele refuted these claims, stating that he never asked the minister for money beyond the cost of the trumpets, which he believed would be beneficial for Adelabu. He explained that the minister inquired about the price of the trumpets and was advised to send someone to the market to verify the cost. Ayodele said that Adelabu’s personal assistant and another individual were pressuring him because the minister was desperate to secure the Oyo governorship ticket.

The cleric asserted that he had told Adelabu he would not receive the governorship ticket but could seek God’s mercy by purchasing the musical instruments. He emphasized that the request was not for his church but for Adelabu’s own benefit. Ayodele noted that he had consistently spoken about Adelabu’s ambition, stating that becoming governor would require God’s grace.

Ayodele argued that his later prophecies regarding Adelabu’s political aspirations were not motivated by the minister’s refusal to buy the trumpets. He claimed he had never spoken to Adelabu before the minister sought his spiritual help and that his prophecies were not driven by financial gain. The cleric stressed that he is already blessed and does not make prophecies for monetary purposes.

The denial highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the allegations and has sparked interest in the relationship between religious leaders and politicians in Nigeria. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen how the accusations will affect the reputations of the parties involved. The Department of State Services is expected to investigate, and its findings may have significant implications for both Primate Ayodele and Minister Adelabu.