Members and supporters of Delta-based cleric, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, have protested against the attempt by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to regulate spiritual products.
The protesters yesterday thronged the office of NAFDAC in Asaba to express their discontent with the agency’s alleged media trial of Fufeyin.
Recall that NAFDAC recently alerted Nigerians to the activities of Fufeyin’s organisation using the agency’s name to deceive the unsuspecting public.
“NAFDAC wishes to alert the public on the activities of a faith-based organization – Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries – that uses NAFDAC name to deceive the unsuspecting public.
“Recently, NAFDAC has been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, Km 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State, on a Miracle Water and Miracle Soap being advertised with healing and miracle claims and sold to unsuspecting members of the public by the Spiritual Ministry. The Minister showcased the use of Miracle Water and Miracle Soap on social media to heal barrenness. He claimed that the women would carry twins if they used the soap. He openly told his congregation that the Soap is NAFDAC registered. Thus, the public began to visit the office to confirm the claims.
“The petitioners also submitted the following products from the Spiritual Ministry to NAFDAC to verify the bogus claims. The products are Miracle & Healing Water, River Jordan Water, the Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida, A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water, Water of Life, Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L), A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water, and Father Smelled Perfume,’’ NAFDAC’s director general, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said in a statement.
She further stated that on August 27 2024, a team of investigation and enforcement from NAFDAC and the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the Ministry to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team.
Yesterday, Fufeyin’s supporters defied the downpour to pour out their anger on the agency.
The protesters, carrying placards with messages such as ‘Spiritual products do not need NAFDAC approval’, ‘NAFDAC should leave Prophet Fufeyin alone’, and ‘Media Trial of Prophet Fufeyin Must Stop’, ‘Spiritual products have spiritual backing, don’t need NAFDAC approval’, ‘When it comes to spiritual matters, respect them’, among others ,” said action is confrontational.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Prof. Samuel Baaba, said the agency has no right to regulate spiritual products.
“We are men of God and we are here in solidarity to send a message to NAFDAC to refrain from its steps over spiritual matters.
“NAFDAC does not have a right to regulate spiritual products. There is a limit to what people can do, especially when it comes to matters of faith.”
Also speaking, the rector of Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Bishop Callixtus Oke, condemned NAFDAC’s actions and expressed support for Fufeyin.
He said Fufeyin was being stigmatised while on his pastoral assignment, stressing that the agency which is a creation of the law is acting beyond its boundaries.
He called for a halt to the media trial of the cleric, adding that NAFDAC was acting beyond its powers by sealing the water manufacturing facility of the church.
“We are speaking forth of the harassment targeted at Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin. He cannot be stigmatised while on his pastoral assignment. NAFDAC which is a creation of the law is acting beyond its boundaries. I am thinking that Prophet Fufeyin is being targeted. What we are seeing is that NAFDAC is singling out Fufeyin for victimisation.”
He said NAFDAC lacks the power to regulate spiritual items, stressing that Jesus Christ permitted the use of water, salt, oil, and candles.
