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.”

A bizarre incident has left a local herbalist, Ismail Usman, fighting for his life after a failed attempt to demonstrate the efficacy of a self-made “bulletproof” charm.

The event took place on November 23 in Kuchibuyi village, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Usman, reportedly confident in the protective powers of the charm he had prepared, used a locally fabricated shotgun to shoot himself in the stomach.

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However, the charm proved ineffective, resulting in severe injuries.

FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, detailing the police’s response.

“A distress call from Shandam Michael reported a shocking event involving Ismail Usman, a local herbalist known for his unconventional methods. In a misguided attempt to test the effectiveness of a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, Usman shot himself in the stomach with a shotgun,” Adeh stated.

She added, “Unfortunately, the charm failed to protect him, resulting in life-threatening injuries. Officers from the Byazhin Division responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to find Usman in critical condition.

“He was quickly transported to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further care.”

The police conducted a search of Usman’s residence following the incident, recovering the shotgun and several charms allegedly used in the failed experiment.

The statement also noted that Usman is likely to face legal consequences.

“Investigations are ongoing, and Usman is expected to face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria,” Adeh revealed.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, condemned the reckless act, highlighting the inherent dangers of illegal firearms and unverified practices.