The Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), Pastor Bolaji Idowu, has refuted allegations of involvement in a ₦1.5 billion fraud, describing the claims as baseless and unfounded.

Speaking during his “Next Level Prayers” session on Wednesday, Pastor Idowu addressed the accusations, which had gone viral on social media, maintaining his innocence and clarifying his financial dealings.

He said, “Over the last 24 hours, there’s been a lot of news about me on social media. I just want to state some facts clearly.”

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The pastor categorically denied any involvement in fraudulent real estate transactions, asserting that he has no business interests in property dealings.

“I do not have any property in Nigeria apart from the one bequeathed to me by my late parents. I am not in the business of buying or selling properties,” he stated.

He also dismissed claims that he had received billions of naira in his bank accounts, urging anyone with doubts to verify his financial records.

“Someone said I received billions into my account. My account is public; anyone can check if I have ever received such amounts. I did not,” he added.

Despite the controversy, Pastor Idowu expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his followers and well-wishers.

“I want to thank all of you that showed a lot of love. We are victorious,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to his faith and ministry.

The pastor also acknowledged the public nature of the allegations and the scrutiny they have drawn. “As you are reading it, I’m also reading it, like wow,” he remarked, calling the situation a learning experience.

Pastor Bolaji Idowu, the Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), has been released from police custody after intervention by influential clerics and key figures in the Aso Rock Villa.

Biztellers reports that Pastor Idowu was detained by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja over allegations of real estate fraud and money laundering involving ₦1.5 billion.

The case reportedly originated from a scheme involving a pastor within the church, who allegedly defrauded multiple individuals through a suspicious real estate project.

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Investigations revealed that significant sums from the scheme were funneled through HICC’s accounts and eventually traced to Pastor Idowu’s personal account.

“The police investigation showed that several billions of naira in the scheme were traced first to Pastor Bolaji’s church account and later to his personal account,” a senior police source disclosed.

Known for his popular Next Level Prayers platform, Pastor Idowu was initially held for questioning, with reports suggesting he would spend the night in custody.

“The case emanated from one of his pastors who duped several people in a real estate scheme,” the source explained.

However, late Tuesday, Pastor Idowu was released following high-level negotiations reportedly influenced by prominent pastors and key figures in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“Pastor Bolaji was released late into the evening after big pastors and President Tinubu’s Aso Villa intervened in the matter,” a police insider confirmed.

As part of the settlement, the pastor has been ordered to repay the funds traced to his account within two weeks.

“He has been asked to pay back the money traced to his account in two weeks,” the source added.

Founded in December 2003, Harvesters International Christian Center has grown into a global ministry with locations in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The church reportedly attracts over 70,000 worshippers across its physical and online platforms.

Rosemary Oromoni, the mother of Sylvester Oromoni, the 12-year-old boy whose tragic death in 2021 sparked national outrage, has passed away.

Reports indicate that Mrs. Oromoni died in late November after a prolonged battle with blood pressure-related health issues.

Her death comes just over seven months after a Lagos court’s ruling that dealt a setback to the family’s legal fight.

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Recall that in April 2024, a special Coroner Inquest court in Lagos concluded that Sylvester’s death was the result of negligence by his parents and their doctor.

The court ruled that the boy died from untreated complications of an enlarged liver, rather than from the alleged bullying and chemical ingestion at Dowen College.

Biztellers reports that Sylvester died on November 30, 2021, after claiming he was assaulted by five senior students at Dowen College in Lekki.

He also alleged that he was forced to consume a harmful substance.

However, a Lagos State Government investigation in January 2022 cleared the five students and school staff of any wrongdoing.

Coroner Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, who presided over the inquest, pointed to the Oromonis’ failure to seek medical help in time.

He stated, “Based on the foregoing it is clear that the deceased’s health deteriorated in (parents) PW 3’s care. PW 3 did not take proper care of the deceased, completely abandoning him for more than 32 hours.”

Kadiri went on to say, “The deceased’s death was an avoidable one but for the negligence of the parents and PW 3. They didn’t take him to the hospital until the day he died on November 30, 2021. The deceased went through an avoidable and excruciating pain and was made to suffer needlessly.”