While some members said they had already asked God to forgive Raji for dipping his hands into the devil’s pie, another set implored the NDLEA to release him for he is philanthropic and used to feed many of them in the church.
Some members of the Eternal Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Abanishe Street, Agodo Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos State said they have already asked God to forgive their Resident Pastor, Prophet Michael Raji, who was arrested two weeks ago by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for being in possession of illicit drug valued at N609 million.
According to the members, Raji was arrested while he was counseling some members in the church.
This was also few minutes after preaching.
While some members said they had already asked God to forgive Raji for dipping his hands into the devil’s pie, another set implored the NDLEA to release him for he is philanthropic and used to feed many of them in the church.
Raji, 60, was allegedly smuggling the 174 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs to South Africa when NDLEA operatives flagged him.
The suspect was alleged to be a top member of a drug syndicate operating in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
A search of his church premises revealed hidden drugs.
The seized drugs, concealed inside large bags of foodstuff, were found to contain 91kg of Methamphetamine and 83kg of Ephedrine, with an estimated street value of N609 million.
A Mercedes Benz Jeep was also impounded during the operation.
A members who simply identified herself as Mrs. Adebanjo, said the crime was true, but insisted that it did not happen in the church.
Adebanjo added: “It is true that NDLEA operatives came to arrest Prophet Raji for drug offense, but it was at the airport that it happened, not our church.
“The church should not be linked with any criminal case.
“We have also prayed to God to forgive him.”
Another member, who also gave his name simply as Gbenga, said the arrest of Raji threw the entire church into panick, leading to the church abandoning its seven days programme.
Gbenga said: “We were inside the church on that fateful Tuesday when the NDLEA agents came.
“We were having our seven days revival programme.
“After a guest pastor had finished his preaching, it was the turn of the prophet.
“Before then, he had been counseling some members.
“Suddenly, a group of men in NDLEA uniform invaded the church and whisked him away.
“It was later we discovered that Daddy (Raji) is involved in drug trafficking.
“The arrest has affected the church.
“Some members have stopped coming, while those around are living in fear.”
Gbenga said that two Sundays ago some members of the church managed to gather together to pray for Raji’s release.
He added: “I have known the prophet for 10 years and there had never been any criminal matters attached to him, let alone a drug related case.
“Please, let them release him because he is our father here.
“He used to feed many members in this church.”
Raji’s Assistant, whose name was withheld for security reasons, was said to have left the church since the prophet’s arrest, while Raji’s wife had been holding meetings with his family members to seek for his release.
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