Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has expressed his worry about the growing number of Nigerian pastors who stage false miracles in order to trick and take advantage of their supporters.
Ogbonna expressed his disappointment in an Instagram post on Tuesday, calling these actions a profound breach of Christian principles.
He bemoaned the fact that certain clergymen’s dishonest activities would not only damage the church’s reputation but also take advantage of weaker Christians, using their faith as a tool for selfish gain.
Ogbonna issued a warning, stating that the consequences of these dishonest actions include destroyed lives, shattered trust, and manipulation of people’s faith.
He urged pastors who engage in these kinds of activities to consider their actions, stressing that it is a clear betrayal of the gospel to use God’s name for deception. Ogbonna advised:
“To those pastors, it’s time to reflect—using God’s name for falsehood is a betrayal of the gospel. To the victims, remember your faith is sacred, and true miracles don’t come from deception.”
He also called on Christians to safeguard their faith and not be swayed by social media trends that mock or disrespect their beliefs. The movie star added:
“Let’s also be cautious not to get carried away by social media trends that disrespect and ridicule our faith. Christianity should never be used as a tool for likes, views, or viral content.”
Additionally, Ogbonna appealed to religious authorities like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the government to take a firmer stance on the issue.
He advocated for stricter regulations and accountability measures to ensure that individuals posing as pastors are held responsible for their actions. Ogbonna concluded:
“I call on the government and religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria to step up, regulate, and hold these bad actors accountable. Christianity is about truth, love, and humility—not fraud, manipulation, or mockery.”