NAFDAC, Prophet Fufeyin Bicker Over ‘Miracle Water,’ Prophet Denies Using Fake Reg Number to Sell Products
Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, the Senior Prophet of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, has denied that his church was producing unwholesome products with fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of the media department of the church, Sophia Iloyd, the church said that the its activities were guided by “faith and the teachings of the Bible.”
NAFDAC had on Saturday alerted the public on the unwholesome products peddled by the church noting that they were not scientifically proven.
“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product,” NAFDAC’s statement reads in part.
The regulatory agency also notified the public that Prophet Fufeyin and his church had become evasive and uncooperative with its officials over investigations of the miracle products claims.
However, defending its actions the Church insisted that it operates under the protections of Sections 38 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and expression.
According to the church’s statement, “As a church, we are guided by our faith and the teachings of the Bible. We have been using spiritual items as an expression of our religious beliefs.
“The church strongly denied claims made in the publication, which suggested that NAFDAC was warning the public about the ministry’s activities
“At no point has our church deceived the public. We have not produced or sold consumable items to the public, let alone used NAFDAC’s name to do so.”
The church further clarified that the only complaint pending against the it is a petition by one Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, also known as Verydarkblackman (VDM), whom the church revealed it has taken to court over various allegations.
The church also alleged that the VDM forged receipts to back his claims against the ministry, but kept quiet over that statement of NAFDAC indicating that its staff in Delta State indeed purchased one of the miracle products for N3000.
The church, however, denied ownership of the receipts shown by VDM “We have written to NAFDAC and informed them that the receipts submitted by the complainant are under police investigation. Despite this, NAFDAC has not responded to our letters or provided any feedback on the matter,” the church’s statement concluded
Below is NAFDAC’s full statement:
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to alert the public on the activities of a faith-based organization – Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries that uses NAFDAC’s name to deceive unsuspecting public
Recently, NAFDAC have been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto 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 claim
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
Father Smelled Perfume.
Upon receipt of the petitions, NAFDAC, through the Director Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) NAFDAC, contacted the Delta State Coordinator to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with the Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products in Delta State Office.
The Coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the Ministry where the Miracle water and other products are produced. The State Coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for 3000 naira from the Ministries and took the pictures.
On Wednesday 14th August 2024, the State Coordinator Delta State visited the Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service (HOS) – Mr. Ogunleye Fufeyin and the Chief Security Officer (CSO). The officials denied producing Miracle and Healing Water or Soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase. He claimed that only the Logo and address on the label were theirs but not the product.
The HOS added that they only have a pool of Bethsaida water which is spiritual and artificial. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO.
On 27th August 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC and 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. Letters of invitation was issued to the officials to report on 28th August, but it was not honoured.
The company instead submitted a Legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters Abuja on 28th August 2024 and asked to come back on the 3rd September 2024 to organise their document before coming.
The Agency then gave the Prophet till 29th to report at investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC Office Asaba for further necessary investigation.
Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of investigation, but they still refused to show up. On 3rd September 2024, they forwarded some documents instead asking for more time to report.
In a document, made available to NAFDAC Office in the evening of 3rd September, the faith organization claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, DSC Expressway, Otokutu, Delta State without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta State. This act is illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.
In continuation of our investigation NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of Fake NAFDAC Registration Number.
At this point, it is very clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered “Miracle” products.
NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.
In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organization with regards to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them. I want to use this opportunity to warn either faith organizations against illegal production of regulated product without requisite regulatory requirements.
I want to assure Nigerians of our resolve to continue safeguarding health of the citizens.
NAFDAC…………..Safeguarding the Health of the Nation!!!
Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, FAS
Director General