In a passionate and defiant sermon delivered on Sunday, June 8, the Presiding Bishop of The Living Stone Assembly (TLSA), Bishop Katung, has launched a scathing rebuke against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of fabricating charges and pursuing a decade-long campaign of persecution against him.
Addressing his congregation, Bishop Katung insisted that he had been exonerated by multiple investigations — including those conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and even the EFCC itself — in connection with the now-defunct Covenant Fadama Multipurpose Cooperative.
He said:
“ICPC investigated me for three months. They combed through all the Covenant Fadama financial records and confirmed I was not a signatory to any account. I didn’t receive a single transfer. I was not involved in the registration. In fact, my wife, my church, and I were victims — we invested our own money,” he declared. It was clear who the founders were: He mentioned Late Lukolm and Mr Okewole Dayo as the ones who registered the scheme at a government ministry in Bukuru, Jos south LGA, Plateau state
Despite these clearances, he said, the EFCC filed a 23-count charge against him— a move he described as a deliberate attempt to smear his reputation.
“In this life, when people are determined to bring you down, you have to wake up……That’s exactly what happened to me with Covenant Fadama.”
The Bishop alleged that EFCC officials, including their second prosecution witness (PW2), acknowledged that they found no financial link between him and the alleged fraud after combing through thousands of account statements — documents so voluminous they were reportedly delivered in “Ghana Must Go” bags.
He said they told him, Bishop, we’ve got nothing on you. But some Reverends and Pastors in Jos wrote petitions. They don’t like you. So we’re under pressure to prosecute you.
He questioned why the EFCC would proceed with prosecution despite the available facts and the truth, suggesting that the agency has become a tool for settling personal scores rather than upholding justice.
Should the EFCC follow the truth — which they already know — or should they follow what people told them?, he asked
Let them bring my accusers face-to-face with me, and put all the issues on the table for clarity and understanding,if need be, he pleaded
Highlighting the absurdity of the charges, Bishop Katung cited Count 9, which allegedly links him to an account that, in reality, was his personal investment in the Fadama scheme — a fact he claims the EFCC was fully aware of.
He allegedly that EFCC knew he was innocent. Yet asked for money from him to drop the case. I told them I didn’t have any. Then then threatened to destroy my name. Just because he is a Pastor and public figure.
Quoting John 8:44, the Bishop described the EFCC as an institution driven by lies, deception, and corruption.
You are of your father, the devil, and has become the highest level of crime, he said
He added that the first judge assigned to the case “blew up” in court upon realizing there was no evidence against him.
Asserting his complete innocence, Bishop Katung denounced those calling him a thief online and in the media, reiterating that he never stole any money from anyone.
He said that for ten years, they’ve found nothing — yet they continue. He appealed to the President to dissolve and scrap the EFCC for outliving its usefulness.
He placed a curse on the institution for knowing the truth and still going ahead to prosecute him
The Bishop vowed to continue speaking out and exposing what he calls institutional corruption and personal vendettas within the EFCC.
The EFCC had re-arraigned the Bishop and Mr Okewole Dayo before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya of the federal high court, Jos, Plateau state on alleged ₦178m Fraud in Jos on Thursday, May 29, 2025 as executives of the Covenant Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society. It is reported that the case has lingered for more than 10 years
As the case unfolds, many Nigerians will be watching to see whether the EFCC’s accusations hold water or if Bishop Katung’s bold claims of persecution are justified.
The case has been adjourned to 22nd and 23rd of July 2025
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