The First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, has debunked media reports over the alleged financial situation in the church, saying that no money is missing from the church’s account.
The Trustee of the church, Emmanuel Chibuzor Ibe and the Secretary of the church, Deacon Adedamola Akanbi, stated this in a statement made available on Friday.
Debunking the social media narrative, Ibe and Akanbi stated that there was never a time in the history of the Church when any money or property was misappropriated or converted by anyone or group of people.
According to the duo, the account of the church is intact, regularly audited and has been under the management of qualified financial personnel.
Ibe and Akanbi further disclosed that under the watch of former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, every transaction made by the Church followed due process and the policies of the Church.
Here is the full text of the statement:
Our attention has been drawn to some misinformation, rumours and fabricated stories making the round in the social media about the financial situation of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja under the watch of our former senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji.
We would have ignored the misinformation but in the interest of some well meaning members of the public who desire to know the true position of the situation, we are using this forum to set the record straight.
* That the Church condemns in strong terms the activities of those who are hell bent in embarrassing and harassing our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji. We know that the One who called him into ministry and who made him to lead our Church for 22 years will vindicate him in Jesus Name.
* That there was never a time when the Constitution and the Byelaw of our church (First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja) duly filed and certified by the Corporate Affairs Commission, was forged by anyone or group of people for whatever reason.
* There was never a time in the history of our Church when any money or property was misappropriated or converted by anyone or group of people. The account of our Church is intact, regularly audited and has been under the management of qualified financial personnel.
* That under the watch of our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, every transaction made by the Church adhered strictly to the due process and the policies of the Church.
* That under the watch of our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, the Church grew up from nowhere to become unarguably one of the leading Churches in the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
* That everything done under the watch of the former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji was endorsed by the whole church in accordance with the Practices and Policies of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
* That our former Senior Pastor, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji is still enjoying the respect, honour and the support of the Church and the entire members to date because of his unprecedented contributions to the Church.
* The church as represented by her Board of Trustees (BOT) has not lodged any complaints with the Nigeria Police. Any legal action against the Church and her leadership is sponsored by evil forces determined to malign, harass and embarrass the church and the former Senior Pastor.
* We appreciate the love, concern and understanding of those who are sincerely disturbed and worried about the unfortunate narrative being spread about the Church. We know that First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja is marching on and the gate of hell shall not prevail. In the fullness of time the church and the gospel of Christ shall prevail in Jesus Name.
