Spiritual Therapeutics: Fufeyin and the Toxicity of Deception, by Patrick Iwelunmor

Nigeria is never short of absurd theatrics, even amidst the current economic challenges citizens are grappling with. While the majority of the populace is contending with inflationary trends that have worsened since the removal of the petroleum subsidy, the church, which is supposed to equip citizens with the moral guidance needed to navigate these trying times, has once again forced critical minds to question its integrity.

Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, General Overseer of the Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry in Effurun, Delta State, has incurred the wrath of the discerning public after his claim that some of his spiritual materials have NAFDAC numbers went viral. To make matters worse, popular blogger, activist, and media influencer, Mr Martins Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, has been calling out the prophet for making spurious claims and lying to the public about the NAFDAC registration of these products.

Very Dark Man even went so far as to visit the NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja to lodge complaints, driven by a sincere and nationalist zeal to prevent a potential catastrophe of ignorance that could lead many unsuspecting Nigerians to purchase these spiritual items based on the prophet’s claim of NAFDAC registration.

Very Dark Man is dissatisfied that Prophet Fufeyin is exploiting the gullibility of some people. He purchased these spiritual items to test their efficacy on the sick and infirm, only to find that all the blind and lame individuals he administered the miracle water to remained unchanged. Empirically, Fufeyin’s miracle water is ineffective and could not have been registered by NAFDAC. NAFDAC does not and would never register any product without first conducting due diligence to verify the accuracy of its therapeutic or prophylactic claims.

This writer is not oblivious to the fact that miracles happen. As a Catholic, I have always been a strong proponent of “the mystery of faith,” which defies human logic and reason. Sadly, neo-Pentecostalism and its radical proponents are making Christianity appear as an assembly of demented individuals or, more appropriately, people with personality disorders. This is where I often agree with Pastor Abel Damina’s sermons, which are filled with hard facts and blunt truths.

How can we continue to watch charlatans deceive people in the name of God? Some of these neo-Pentecostal prophets would even threaten death to those who oppose their manipulative doctrines. Is it that Nigeria has its own versions of a ruthless God and Holy Spirit who would punish those opposing the distorted teachings of their apostles? This is definitely not the gospel of Jesus Christ which they claim to follow. It is unfortunate that, rather than publicly apologize to NAFDAC and Nigerians for misleading the public, Prophet Fufeyin is busy seeking the support of his ignorant or misled followers, who have been issuing threats on social media.

Had Fufeyin not gone to social media (as evidenced by available videos) to claim that his spiritual items are NAFDAC-registered, Very Dark Man and other Nigerians would not have been calling him out. He should either apologize or admit that it was a joke. Unfortunately, one does not joke about issues as sensitive as the regulatory activities of an important agency like NAFDAC. Regardless of his apology, Fufeyin must accept that he lied to Nigerians by attempting to validate the efficacy of his spiritual items using the hard-earned reputation of NAFDAC.

All the noisy protesters, including the rented bishops in Delta State, who are opposing NAFDAC’s stance on this issue, should hang their heads in shame. “Our mumu no too much?” The Christian God is a God of justice and remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. Claiming that NAFDAC has no right to regulate spiritual items is a shameless attempt to twist the narrative. To the best of my knowledge, NAFDAC has never delved into spiritual matters. The agency is known for ensuring strict regulatory compliance concerning food and drug administration in Nigeria. Therefore, no matter how potent a spiritual item may be (whether water, oil, soap or perfume) it would require NAFDAC’s regulatory intervention if it is mass-produced and sold to people as a remedy for multiple ailments.