Entertainment
Timi Dakolo Accuses Apostle Femi Lazarus Of Charging $150 For Ministry School
The public dispute between renowned singer Timi Dakolo and Pastor Femi Lazarus has intensified, with Dakolo now accusing the Light Nation Church founder of profiting from ministry teachings.
The controversy first erupted when the two clashed over whether gospel artistes should charge fees for performing at church events.
Pastor Lazarus, in a widely circulated video, argued that gospel musicians should not demand payment for ministering, insisting that they should trust God for provision rather than seeking financial gain.
READ ALSO: Sometimes I Suck At My Parental Duties – Timi Dakolo
According to him, gospel artistes are not mere entertainers but ministers of the gospel.
Dakolo, however, pushed back against this view, accusing pastors of pressuring gospel singers to offer their services for free.
He defended their right to earn a living, pointing out the financial responsibilities they face.
He also suggested that instead of expecting professional gospel musicians to perform without payment, pastors should focus on developing their church choirs.
Clarifying his stance, Dakolo stated that his response was made out of respect and love. He emphasized that, while he grew up in the church, he does not identify as a gospel artist.
However, he then shifted the discussion by accusing Pastor Lazarus of charging students for enrollment in his ministry school, which provides Christian teachings.
According to Dakolo, the school’s enrollment fee is approximately $150 per student, with about 1,000 students reportedly registered. He backed up his claims by sharing a screenshot that allegedly details the fee structure.
He criticized the pastor for monetizing what he described as a “freely given gift and revelation.”
“All this was said in love and with respect, sir. I am not a gospel artist but a Christian raised in church. Let’s not shift the goal post,” Dakolo stated.
“By your definition, if anyone charges to minister, they are not gospel artists; they are performers. And by that definition, if any preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope and motivational speakers too.”
Questioning the structure of the ministry school, he added:
“Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, probably having as much as 1,000 students. Let’s do the maths. You even have premium and standard for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goal post.”
Nigerian music legend, Daddy Showkey, has reacted sharply to an order issued by Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, targeting individuals with dreadlocks in Minna.
In a post shared on Instagram, the Ajegunle-born artist, known for his iconic dreadlocks, voiced his outrage at the governor’s decision, questioning the link between dreadlocks and insecurity.
“Na dreadlock dey cause insecurity for the country or na dada dey worry you? What of people with mumu beard?” Showkey asked, visibly upset by the directive.
READ ALSO: Jude Okoye Freed After Two-Month Detention Over Alleged N1.38bn Fraud
The musician also revealed that he had planned a visit to Minna but was now having second thoughts following the order. “Mohamed Umar, dada be your problem? I dey to come Minna but now you have ask your security agents to cut off dreadlocks so hold your state, but make you cut your beer beer,” he said.
The now-reversed directive was reportedly given during a stakeholders’ security meeting at the Government House, where Governor Bago instructed security personnel to shave off dreadlocks and fine offenders.
Widespread criticism from citizens, civil rights groups, and public figures forced the state government to rescind the decision.
Jude Okoye, the older sibling of the famous P-Square duo, has been released from detention after spending more than two months in custody following his arrest in connection with an alleged N1.38 billion fraud.
Okoye, who was formerly the manager of P-Square, faced charges of conspiracy and money laundering, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges accuse him of using his company, Northside Music Limited, to unlawfully divert royalties and funds meant for P-Square between 2017 and 2021.
READ ALSO: Fraud: Court Grants Jude Okoye N100m Bail
He is facing seven counts in the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, which include laundering amounts exceeding $1 million, £34,537.59, and N1.38 billion.
Part of the allegedly laundered funds was used to purchase property valued at N850 million in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, with the money reportedly channeled through a Bureau De Change.
Although Okoye was granted bail in early March, his release faced delays due to difficulties in meeting the bail conditions.
His brother, Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), confirmed Jude’s release on Instagram, posting a heartfelt message. “Jude is finally out after two months + …all their efforts to frustrate his bail have finally collapsed. Welcome home, brother @judeengees. And happy birthday,” Paul wrote, sharing a video of Jude’s return home.
This release comes amidst a high-profile family dispute, with Peter Okoye (Mr P), Jude’s younger brother, playing a key role in the case.
Peter testified in court, accusing Jude of depriving him of his fair share of earnings by diverting substantial amounts of money through Northside Music Limited and withholding critical financial records.
“When I asked why financing had stopped, I was told, ‘As you leave P-Square, you leave the money,’” Peter testified in court.
Jude’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Clement Onwuenwunor, has dismissed the charges as exaggerated, claiming that the case is more about family disagreements than criminal behavior.
Onwuenwunor stressed that Jude had fully cooperated with the investigation, and that the allegations stem from misunderstandings among the brothers.
The EFCC charges also include allegations that between 2016 and 2023, Jude converted more than $1 million and £34,537.59 in digital royalties for his personal benefit.
Jude has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
The case is expected to continue, with Peter Okoye set for cross-examination when the trial resumes on June 4.
Street-hop sensation Portable has opened up about his wish for a music collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, revealing he would have preferred a feature over the N20 million cash gift recently sent to him by the Afrofusion star.
The singer, known for his eccentric personality and social media outbursts, disclosed during an Instagram live session that Burna Boy’s generous gesture came after his participation in a celebrity boxing match against fellow entertainer, Speed Darlington.
Despite expressing gratitude for the financial boost, Portable shared his disappointment about the silence that has followed from Burna Boy’s end.
READ ALSO: Portable Remanded In Kwara Prison For Failing To Meet Bail Terms
“Shout out to Burna Boy. Some people want to wash my brain with advice, but this man gingered my brain with the N20 million,” he said.
However, the singer made it clear that money wasn’t all he was hoping for. Portable revealed that communication between them has been non-existent, even after several attempts to reach out.
“The person who gave me N20 million has never replied to me on Instagram; I don’t have his number, and he doesn’t pick up my calls,” he lamented.
He went further to call out Burna Boy for not following him on social media despite the generous gift.
“Burna Boy, you gave me N20 million, but you didn’t reply to me. Give me a feature. Why are you stingy about replying to messages? He isn’t following me on Instagram but he gave me money.
“He is my helper but he should feature me instead because the N20 million can finish in a day. If I collaborate with the person who gave me N20 million, I will go viral,” he added.
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