Pastor Bolaji Idowu, the Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), has denied any involvement in the alleged N1.5 billion real estate fraud currently under investigation by the Nigerian Police Force. Pastor Idowu, who was briefly detained by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, insisted that he has no connection to the real estate business, emphasizing that his only property in Nigeria is one inherited from his late parents.
In a statement following his release, Pastor Idowu clarified his position, saying, “The only property I have in Nigeria is the one my late parents bequeathed to me. I am not into real estate. We are victorious on all sides.”
The arrest of Pastor Idowu reportedly stemmed from allegations of financial mismanagement linked to a real estate scheme orchestrated by one of his subordinate pastors. According to police sources, billions of naira associated with the scheme were traced to both the church’s account and subsequently to Pastor Idowu’s personal account. However, Pastor Idowu has consistently denied these allegations.
It was initially reported that Pastor Idowu was expected to spend the night in police custody. However, Sahara Reporters later revealed that the pastor was released late in the evening after significant pressure was mounted on the Nigerian police by influential figures, including senior officials in President Bola Tinubu’s Aso Rock Villa and prominent clerics across the country.
A senior police source disclosed that the intervention led to Pastor Idowu’s release, although he was reportedly instructed to refund the funds traced to his accounts within two weeks. “Pastor Bolaji was released late into the evening after big pastors and President Tinubu’s Aso Villa intervened in the matter. He has been asked to pay back the money traced to his account in two weeks,” the source stated.
The controversy reportedly originated from one of HICC’s pastors, who allegedly defrauded several individuals through a real estate scheme. The police investigation revealed that significant sums were funneled through the church and eventually to Pastor Idowu’s personal accounts. While the investigation is ongoing, the incident has sparked widespread public attention.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu, widely known as the “Next-Level Prayer Conference” pastor, founded HICC in December 2003. Under his leadership, the church has grown substantially, expanding to multiple locations in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. According to the church’s official website, Harvesters attracts over 70,000 worshippers across its online and physical platforms.
The church is also renowned for its “Next Level Prayers” program, which encourages participants to deepen their spiritual lives through prayer, both online and offline. Despite this recent controversy, Pastor Idowu continues to emphasize his commitment to transparency and his belief in his eventual vindication. The case, however, remains a topic of considerable public and legal interest.
