Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has issued a fresh rebuttal to renewed online claims linking the church to a criminal case dating back to 2007.
The ministry clarified that the suspect at the centre of the revived reports, identified as Femi Jimoh, had no connection to the church despite presenting himself as a pastor before his arrest nearly two decades ago.
Moreover, the church stressed that it had long exposed and reported him to authorities.
According to the ministry, Jimoh was arrested on December 25, 2007, after admitting to organising a robbery ring while posing as a cleric.
Police operatives recovered stolen vehicles and other items following his confession, a development that was widely covered by a Saturday newspaper at the time.
In a statement released this week, MFM emphasised that Jimoh never served within the church in any capacity.
“He was not our pastor, not our staff, and certainly not our representative,” the statement read. “He deliberately misused our identity until internal checks revealed his deceit.”
The ministry explained that its internal investigation exposed Jimoh’s activities, prompting officials to alert the Sabo Police Division.
“Once we confirmed he was an impostor, he was immediately handed over to law enforcement, which led to his arrest and eventual prosecution,” the church added.
However, MFM expressed displeasure over what it described as a coordinated attempt by some blogs and commentators to reintroduce the case as a recent scandal.
Furthermore, the church noted that several online posts have falsely dated the incident to 2017, thereby misleading the public.
“Unfortunately, a matter concluded 18 years ago is being twisted for sensationalism,” the statement continued.
“MFM was a victim of impersonation then, and remains a victim of misinformation now.”
The ministry called on Nigerians to prioritise fact-checking, warning that the recycling of outdated stories contributes to public distrust.
According to MFM, such distortions not only damage reputations but also undermine responsible journalism.
Reaffirming its values, the church maintained its commitment to transparency and accountability whenever its name is misused.
“Our mission is centred on holiness, truth, and transforming lives through prayer and discipline,” the church added.
“We will not be distracted by unfounded claims circulated for attention.”
The renewed clarification underscores the ministry’s stance as online misinformation continues to challenge institutions across the country, particularly those with large followings and public visibility.