The head of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, has strongly denied claims that he used the name of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to deceive Nigerians.
The allegations surfaced following an extensive social media post by popular influencer VeryDarkMan who suggested that the miracle water and soap sold by the church had NAFDAC approvals but were fake.
These items are used in religious practices at the ministry, which Fufeyin says are part of their expression of faith.
However, the prophet has categorically refuted these claims, calling the reports false and misleading.
In a statement released on September 9, 2024, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin emphasized that neither he nor his ministry had ever used NAFDAC’s name for deceptive purposes.
The statement highlighted that Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry is a law-abiding church that respects the laws of the land, including those regulated by NAFDAC.
“We are a Christian church, guided by the Nigerian Constitution, particularly sections 38 and 39, which grant us the freedom to practice our religion without interference,” the statement read.
Fufeyin explained that the ministry uses certain spiritual items like water and soap as part of their religious practices, in line with their faith and biblical teachings.
He made it clear that these items were never presented as consumable goods approved by NAFDAC.
At no point, he said, has the church ever tried to deceive the public into believing that the spiritual items were officially recognized by NAFDAC.
“The church has never produced or sold consumable items to the public in this regard,” he added.
The rumours regarding NAFDAC’s investigation into Christ MercyLand’s spiritual products started after a media publication suggested that NAFDAC was probing the use of miracle water and soap, which were allegedly marketed under the agency’s name.
The headline read: “NAFDAC Investigating Pastor Jeremiah’s Miracle Water, Soap – DG.”
This report stirred controversy and led to various reactions from Nigerians.
The issue gained attention because it seemed to imply that Prophet Fufeyin was using NAFDAC’s name to validate the religious items, giving them a form of official credibility that could mislead the public.
In his response, Prophet Fufeyin reiterated that the church operates within the bounds of the Nigerian Constitution.
He stated that Christ MercyLand’s spiritual practices, including the use of items such as water and soap, are in line with biblical injunctions and the Christian faith.
The prophet maintained that these spiritual items are not meant for consumption but are used during church services to enhance worship and prayers.
He noted that such practices are a common aspect of many Christian denominations worldwide, where spiritual objects like anointing oil, water, or handkerchiefs are used as symbols of faith.
“These items are an expression of our religious beliefs,” the statement clarified. “We have never claimed that NAFDAC has approved them.”
The use of spiritual items in religious practices is not new in Nigeria.
Many Christian ministries and churches across the country incorporate various elements, such as holy water, anointing oils, and other objects, as part of their faith traditions.
Such items are believed by many adherents to carry spiritual significance and are often used for healing, deliverance, and other religious purposes.
However, these items are not classified as drugs or consumable goods and are therefore not regulated by NAFDAC.
The confusion, in this case, may have arisen from the perceived overlap between items used in religious rituals and consumable products regulated by NAFDAC.
Fufeyin called on media organizations to exercise caution and responsibility in their reporting, particularly when dealing with sensitive matters involving religious institutions.
“Our ministry has never engaged in any activities that could be considered deceitful. We remain focused on our mission, which is to lead people to Christ through biblical teachings and practices,” the prophet said.