CAN Disowns Officials Over COZA Visit

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disowned the FCT chairman of the Christian body, Jonah Samson, and its North Central president, Reverend Israel Akanji, over their solidarity visit to the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)  church last Sunday.

THE WHISTLER had reported how Samson and Akanji were seen in a viral social media video declaring support for COZA’s senior pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo, after he was recently accused of rape.

Mrs Busola Dakola had accused Biodun of raping her twice at teenage age, the allegation which the COZA pastor has vehemently denied.

Reacting to its officials’ supposed solidarity visit to the COZA church in Abuja, CAN’s National Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Evangelist Barrister Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, distanced the Christian body from the visit.

Vondip said Samson and Akanji visited pastor Biodun’s church on their own, adding that CAN was already investigating the rape allegation against the COZA Pastor.

CAN’s reaction came after the social media outrage that greeted its officials visit to COZA.

The statement reads;

“The attention of the President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle has been called to a report and a video clip going round that Christian Association of Nigeria has sent her officials to Commonwealth of Zion Assembly(COZA) Church to stand by the Senior Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo on the rape allegation against him.

“This message is to categorically inform the Christian leaders, the general public and all lovers of truth that CAN or the President of CAN did not approve and knows nothing about such a solidarity visit.

“Those who did so did it on their own. We stand by our earlier release on this issue that while we would never support any act of immorality from whatever quarter, we would not jump into passing judgement without thorough investigation of the matter.

“The President of CAN is in communication with the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude and has given the right to investigate the allegations to PFN and then revert to CAN. We can tell you that PFN has already constituted a panel that is investigating this matter and in less than two weeks, the outcome of the investigation will come out. We urge all our Christian brothers and sisters to know that this is the position of CAN. We would not spare anyone who is found wanting from facing appropriate disciplinary measures.

“We appreciate sincerely the prayers and support of the Christians and all peace loving Nigerians for the Church and the nation.”