"Smite the shepherd and the sheep will flee". This
biblical injunction vividly captures the ongoing scenario at the Commonwealth
of Zion Assembly, COZA.
The name COZA became a 'street anthem' a few months back
following a shocking confession by one Ese Walter, an ex-member of the church
of her week-long sexual escapade with the senior pastor of the church, Abiodun
Fatoyinbo. Ese's claims had opened a floodgate of other cases. Another church
member who simply identified herself as Franca also alleged that the Apostle,
most commonly described as a man with 'uncommon prophetic insight' al lured her
to Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, for a 'romantic prayer'. However, since
then, the pastor has neither come out to refute or accept the allegation, but
claimed that he was still waiting for God's order. While many still doubt the
authenticity of the allegations, some light-hearted members of the church are
gradually leaving the church.
This, Daily Post learnt during a recent visit to the Lagos
branch of the church, situated in Maryland, Ikeja. Our findings revealed that
many aggrieved members and deacons have left the church since the authority of
the church decided to sweep the matter under the carpet. When our correspondent
inquired from a member why the church looked so empty on a Sunday, he was told
the population of the church was reducing drastically on weekly bases. "I
think this started not quiet long. Last week was even the worst; you could see
empty seats everywhere," the fair complexioned female member said.
Asked
if the man of God had come out to deny or admit the allegation, the member said
they've warned them never to talk about it anywhere, until he (Pastor Abiodun)
hears from God. "I think this is one of the reasons many members are
leaving. The church authority had warned us never to talk about the issue until
the man of God speaks, and I think many are beginning to find it hard to
believe. "His members had since called on the pastor to come clean on the
adultery allegations, but he prefers to remain silent until God says otherwise.
Our sources revealed that the church stands divided because
of the incident. While many insisted that the pastor should speak out, others
are of the opinion that since God asked him to keep quite, he should wait until
he says otherwise. A member was quoted as saying, "God can't ask you to
keep quiet in this matter because his name is at stake too. The church of God
is being accused here and the same God is telling him to keep quiet? That is
immaterial, I can't accept that. "Findings further revealed that the
preacher is currently working behind the scene to 'bury' the allegation. The
preacher has vowed to put an end to the ugly development that has soiled his
hard-earned name and reputation.
We were also told that the man of God is making effort to
reach out to the media to clear the mess and get the whole issue out of the
public domain. It was gathered that members of the church are also calling on
Pastor Biodun to tender unreserved apology if he actually committed the sin or
come out boldly to clear the air, rather than 'waiting for God to tell him when
to speak. - See more at:
