Who is after Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, the General Overseer of Love of Christ (LOC) Generation Church, United Kingdom? This is the mind-boggling question that has been troubling many of her admirers and followers.
The highly revered evangelist, preacher, motivational speaker and philanthropist has become a subject of derision among some Nigerians living abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, where her church is based.
The church, which sources said is small, is reportedly located in Clapham, London.
Sources disclosed that Iya Adura, as Rev’d Mother Ajayi is fondly called, has a tax evasion case hanging on her head. The government of the United Kingdom is alleged to have found her deliberately misrepresenting the true state of her financial affairs to the tax authorities so as to reduce her tax liability, First Weekly reports.
She was also alleged to have included dishonest tax reporting such as declaring less income, profits or gains than the amounts actually earned, or overstating deductions in her income.
The sources further revealed that before the investigation of “the great servant of God” could be concluded, she was advised to leave the UK for Nigeria, so as to cool off for a while.
However, almost two years after she arrived Nigeria, Reverend Mother is yet to return to London. She is reported to fear being arrested and being jailed by the UK government, which does not spare anyone found to have committed tax evasion crime.
According to some sources who spoke with First Weekly Magazine, the fear of being arrested by the UK government was what prompted Reverend Mother Ajayi to move her annual conference; “Celebrating The Comforter” to the United States of America last year. And she has decided to host this year’s edition in Nigeria.
The sources also disclosed that the wealthy prophetess realized the severity of the case at hand last year. She was alleged to have attempted to visit London to attend the Christening ceremony of her grandchild.
However, she reportedly had a change of mind, when the feelers she got from the UK government indicated that she would be picked up and arrested once she arrived at the immigration border. So, she retreated into her shell and stayed back home.
It was also gathered that the woman was placed on visa ban by the UK Government over money laundering allegations, and that the resident permit of her daughter was recently revoked by the British Government.
The Ooni of Ife in Osun State, Nigeria, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi allegedly pleaded with the British Government on her behalf, but it was gathered that the pleas were rejected.
Meanwhile, some people who worship in the church, owned by the wealthy prophetess, have become impatient with her disturbing absence from the church. Their impatience is gradually growing into anger.
Sources squealed that these members are now grumbling about being abandoned by their shepherd. They can’t understand why their spiritual mother would desert them at a time they needed her the most.
Meanwhile a source, who is privy to the happenings around Iya Adura’s life, dismissed the tax evasion allegation.
The source revealed that contrary to the rumour making the round, Iya Adura has no tax evasion case hanging on her head.
According to the source, the wealthy philanthropist is presently committed to establishing a church in Nigeria.
“People are just being mischievous. If Iya Adura has a case to answer with the UK government, why hasn’t her church been locked up? Just because this woman does not make noise about how her ministry is being run does not mean she is shirking in her spiritual obligation.
“Why should it bother anyone if she decides to stay in Nigeria? Those who are complaining about why she hasn’t been going to the UK should wait till when she completes the construction of her church in Nigeria. After that, they will quit wondering and asking baseless question”, he said.
Informants revealed that the woman, who was previously resident in London, is now domiciled in Ghana, adding that “her source of wealth remains questionable.
