By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY — THE Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights has called on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, to intervene in the alleged feud between the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, and his estranged subordinate, Dr. Azemhe Azena.

Azena had earlier this year resigned from the ministry, citing alleged health challenges and other issues. A few weeks later, he reportedly established his own church, a development said to have prompted a petition against him to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID.

A police invitation letter dated June 15 and addressed to Azena, sighted by Vanguard, was titled: “Re: Case of Criminal Breach of Trust, Cheating, Mischief, False Information, Diversion of Funds and Misappropriation.” It stated that the allegations were under investigation and invited him to appear before the Commissioner of Police through Team Leader 10 on June 22, 2026.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, Acting Coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Aghatise Raphael, flanked by Kingsley Okorie and Waya Oghenekaro, said taking the dispute to the police was ridiculing Christianity and underscored the need for CAN and PFN to intervene.

“The Coalition firmly believes that the resolution of this matter lies in sincere dialogue among the principal parties and not in the amplification of divisions by external actors.

“The Coalition therefore calls on the leadership of PFN and CAN to immediately deploy their moral authority and conflict-resolution mechanisms to facilitate dialogue. At this critical time, silence is no longer golden. The Church must not permit disagreements between fathers and sons in the faith to become public spectacles capable of weakening believers’ confidence and exposing the Gospel to ridicule.”