Popular Nigerian cleric, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has vowed to take legal action against what he described as “baseless and malicious” allegations circulating on social media, including claims of kidnapping, murder, and involvement in occult practices.
Speaking during a Sunday service at Christ Apostolic Church, Adamimogo Jesus City, Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos, Alo said he had initially chosen to remain silent but had now resolved to clear his name through the courts.
“I am going to respond fully through the law. I have sent a message to my people in my hometown that no one should fight or curse anyone. We will follow due process, both in Nigeria and abroad, where I am also a citizen,” Alo told the congregation.
The cleric challenged his accusers to produce concrete evidence to back their claims.
“They must show the number and identity of people they claim I kidnapped, those they say I killed, and the location of the alleged rituals. They must also identify the herbalist they claim prepared fetish rituals for my church growth and the place where they allege I was initiated into an occult group,” he stated.
Alo alleged that some social media influencers were deliberately editing and distorting information to “drive traffic” and mislead the public. He said he had previously ignored online smear campaigns, but the situation escalated when a petition was lodged against him, leading to police charges.
> “I have to respond to their legal attack to exonerate myself. Social media influencers have been using smear campaigns against me to achieve commercial success. Unfortunately, they misinform the public with sensational and false news,” Alo added.
Addressing speculations about his finances, Alo disclosed that he had personally taken a bank loan of ₦500 million to fund church projects, without using church property as collateral. He emphasised that his ministry’s growth was the result of divine grace rather than any illicit practice.
He also denied ever bribing lawyers or police officers, and dismissed suggestions that members of his wife’s family were behind the allegations.
Beyond the allegations, Alo urged Nigerians to reflect on the role of individual conduct in shaping the nation’s progress.
“Nigeria is not our problem; Nigerians are. If we were to swap places with people from developed countries, our character would determine the outcome. We must each make a conscious decision to act in ways that will make Nigeria a better place,” he said.
