Nigeria: Anambra pastor arrested over allegations of taking 75 married women as wives

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Pastor Harrison Charles of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, has been arrested following allegations that he lured away 75 married women from their husbands and kept them as his wives.

The arrest came after a viral video circulated on social media containing accusations from alleged victims and their relatives. Some claimants also said the pastor swaps wives among members or takes other people’s wives for himself.

According to a statement by Dr. Ejimofor Opara, media aide to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Charles was arrested by operatives of Agunechemba and handed over to the police. A joint investigation by the Anambra State Police Command and the state government is ongoing.

Opara said 11 babies were found in the pastor’s home during the arrest. Charles reportedly claimed to be the father of all 11 and said he could not state the exact number of his wives or children.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Ken Emeakayi, has urged anyone with further information to come forward. The case is part of a wider crackdown by the Anambra government on alleged fake pastors, which led to the arraignment of eight others last week.