Posted by By OLA AGBAJE and LUKMAN OLABIYI on
The embattled founder and General Overseer (G.O) of Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Reverend Emeka Ezeugo a.k.a King, on Wednesday attempted to clear himself of any involvement in the death of Ann Uzor, a member of his church who died after being allegedly set ablaze on July 22.
The embattled founder and General Overseer (G.O) of Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Reverend Emeka Ezeugo a.k.a King, on Wednesday attempted to clear himself of any involvement in the death of Ann Uzor, a member of his church who died after being allegedly set ablaze on July 22.
King is facing murder and attempted murder charges before Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly setting on fire the late Ann Uzor and six other members of his church.
The accused testified for himself as defence witness number nine. He told the court his own version of the incident that led to his arraignment. King denied all the allegations levelled against him by the victims, describing them as 'all fabrications and lies."
The maverick cleric claimed that on the day of the incident, he was sleeping in his apartment when he heard the cry of 'fire, fire, fire, and he quickly rushed downstairs, wearing only his pyjamas.
His words: 'I did not remember to put on even my undies.
The noise was so much that I heard them shouting fire, fire, fire, and that was how I had to get up and rushed downstairs because I was living in the main building, while others are staying at the boys quarters.
'I got downstairs and that was how I saw this thing that brought me to the court.
Ann, my daughter was shouting generator fire, I saw others, they were just looking at her and I shouted at them and I asked them to bring the palm oil and my daughter was still shouting fire, fire, fire. I asked her to swallow her saliva, but she could not, I asked her to call G.O. She did and was able to swallow it."
According to King, none of the church members explained what really happened till he took the deceased (Ann) to the Faith Clinic Hospital in Ajao Estate.
The accused person described Ann as the most dedicated, and most hardworking among his followers.
'Although, she was not a Rev. sister in the church, she was hardworking and dedicated. She was in charge of Aba CPA and worked so hard that I promised to buy her a car in the open church and that was how envy set in," the CPA founder explained.
'All what is happening now is not new to me and also not a surprise because the same thing happened to Jesus Christ our Lord," King added.
He cited several scriptural verses to back up his claims in the witness box.
He alleged that Vivian Ezeocha, one of the prosecution witnesses and victims had unsuccessfully tried to poison him about seven times after which she came to ask for his forgiveness, which he granted.
The accused person clarified his relationship with all the victims and their roles in the church, saying: 'All of them are just trying to plot my downfall and they cannot get me."