Prophet Fufeyin, Pastor Okafor in Big Trouble Over Alleged Abduction of Teenage Boy
A physically challenged mother of four, Ms. Ruth Matthew, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the alleged abduction of her son, Baby Testimony.
In the petition, Ms. Matthew accused popular cleric Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin of Mercy City Church, Pastor Chris Okafor, actress and blogger Doris Ogala, and several others of involvement in the alleged abduction, as well as criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, intimidation, and threats to life.
The petition, dated January 8, 2026, was submitted through her legal representatives, APEXLAW FIRM, Abuja, and signed by Dr. Clifford I. Omozeghian.
It was obtained on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
How the Incident Allegedly Occurred
According to the petition, Ms. Matthew, a petty trader who is physically disabled, travelled to Mercy City Church in Warri, Delta State, in 2019 in search of spiritual healing and economic breakthrough. She was accompanied by her four sons—Emmanuel, Triumph, Shalom, and the youngest, Testimony—as well as her stepdaughter, Joy.
The petition alleged that upon arrival at the church, she was required to purchase various religious items, including a T-shirt, anointing oil, water, and an unnamed stone, before being granted access to Prophet Fufeyin. She was also allegedly made to pay for accommodation within the church premises with the assurance that she would meet the cleric within one week, a meeting that reportedly did not take place until the third week.
On April 15, 2019, the petition stated that Prophet Fufeyin finally met Ms. Matthew and her children and reportedly described Baby Testimony as a “destiny child” whom people would pay to see. The encounter was allegedly captured by church surveillance cameras.
Alleged Abduction at Mercy City
Later that same day, the petition claimed that two unidentified women approached Ms. Matthew, asking for directions to buy noodles. After she declined to let her children accompany them, a church security staff member identified as Juliet allegedly intervened, assuring her that the women were relatives attending a church programme.
Ms. Matthew reportedly allowed her second son, Triumph, to escort the women, while Baby Testimony followed. Hours later, Triumph returned alone, injured and crying, claiming that the women had beaten him and escaped with his baby brother in a tricycle.
The petition alleged that efforts by Ms. Matthew to see Prophet Fufeyin after the incident were rebuffed and that she was forcibly removed from the church premises by security personnel, who accused her of attempting to damage the church’s reputation.
Police Report and Alleged Bribery
Ms. Matthew was later assisted to report the incident at a police station in Warri. The petition alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) initially ordered Prophet Fufeyin to produce the child and threatened to shut down the church.
However, the petition further claimed that church representatives later offered the DPO ₦2 million to give to Ms. Matthew as a settlement, an offer she rejected.
Fearing for her safety, she was allegedly advised by the police to leave Delta State. She subsequently relocated to Abuja, where she sought help from broadcaster Ahmed Isa of Human Rights Radio. Although the case was briefly reopened and Prophet Fufeyin reportedly arrested, he was later released, and efforts to retrieve CCTV footage from Mercy City were unsuccessful, according to the petition.
Renewed Arrest and Conviction
The petition stated that two years later, Ms. Matthew was contacted by individuals who claimed they could help recover her child. One of them, identified as Prophetess Grace and allegedly linked to Prophet Fufeyin, reportedly offered her money to drop the case.
Ms. Matthew was later traced to Apo Mechanic Village in Abuja, where she was allegedly arrested with the assistance of some police officers, beaten, detained, and forced to confess that she had sold her child.
During her detention, actress Doris Ogala reportedly appeared at the police station, presenting herself as a helper, before taking custody of Ms. Matthew. She was subsequently moved to Benin City and later arraigned in Warri on charges of criminal defamation and false information.
Ms. Matthew was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of ₦20,000 fine, which was reportedly paid by sympathisers.
Alleged Financial Inducement and Viral Confession
The petition further alleged that blogger Dada Masses sent Ms. Matthew ₦1 million after the court case, claiming it was to help her establish a cement business. Days later, he allegedly placed her on a conference call with Prophet Fufeyin, who apologised and urged her to abandon the search for her child—an appeal she reportedly rejected.
The case resurfaced recently following a viral video in which Doris Ogala allegedly confessed to receiving ₦45 million from Prophet Fufeyin and Pastor Chris Okafor for her role in the matter. Following the video, Ms. Matthew released emotional videos online pleading for the return of her son and accusing those named of complicity.
Fear for Life
Ms. Matthew’s lawyers stated that she is currently in hiding after receiving multiple death threats.
“Our client is afraid for her life and those of her children, as these persons are capable of eliminating her,” the petition stated. “She has received several calls threatening to kill her if she does not abandon the search for her baby.”
The legal team urged the NHRC and security agencies to immediately investigate the allegations, invite and interrogate all individuals named, ensure the protection of Ms. Matthew and her children, and file appropriate criminal charges where necessary.
The offences cited include abduction, human trafficking, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, intimidation, and violations of fundamental human rights.
Prophet Fufeyin and Pastor Chris Okafor are influential religious figures with large followings across Nigeria. As of press time, efforts to obtain responses from Mercy City Church and other accused persons were unsuccessful.
However, the Police, NAPTIP, and the NHRC confirmed receipt of the petition on January 15, 2026, and stated that the matter is under review.
