Mountain of Fire Church In Desperate Measures To Justify Harassment of SaharaReporters Crew At New Year’s Eve Service

By SaharaReporters, New York

After several days of subtle threats and manoeuvres, the authorities of the Mountain of Fire Church has released a public statement in which it tried to justify the abuse and detention of a SaharaReporters team during its recent New Year’s eve service.

In the event, previously reported by SaharaReporters, the church task force, police and the State Security Service molested and illegally detained Saharareporters’ crew during a “cross-over” night service on December 31, 2012.

In a statement signed by Pastor Oladele Bank –Olemoh, the chairman of the church’s Publicity Committee, MFM said that it has an open door policy as regards the media, and that many journalists were accredited to cover the
cross over night.

“Sahara crew never applied and was never accredited as one of the media organizations to cover the event, nevertheless, they were allowed inside the prayer city to film the event, and the crew was only stopped when they went beyond the parameters allowed for media men.”

The statement said nothing about the harassment meted out to the reporters, the illegal detention, or the degrading treatment.

Nor did it say anything about previous contacts between SaharaReporters and MFM PR teams following the publication of our story.  

MFM’s statement followed days of covert pranks by the church staff and a former journalist of The Guardian newspaper, Idowu Ajanaku, who we learnt was hurriedly assigned the role to end the bad publicity against the church.

On January 8, Mr. Ajanaku called the publisher of Saharareporters, Omoyele Sowore, to express the “shock and disappointment” of the MFM General Overseer, Daniel Olukoya regarding the conduct of the church “Prayer City Task Force” in the molestation, false arrest and detention of his team by MFM Church’s security teams.

Mr. Ajanaku promised that the General Overseer was unaware of the cruel and degrading treatment and wanted to apologize to the SR crew.

Curiously, the same Ajanaku then said he would send to SaharaReporters Dr. Olukoya’s telephone numbers so that the reporters could call him and accept his apologies on behalf of MFM, and shortly after, delivered by text message two special telephone lines for Dr. Olukoya.

But Mr. Sowore replied that he was not interested in calling the overseer when it was his people that had abused and violated the rights of the reporters on church premises.  Ajanaku’s response by text was that there were many versions of the incident and that the GO would like to hear directly from Mr. Sowore and his crew.

Mr. Sowore declined the invitation, insisting that the GO carry out independent findings on his own.

While that angle was in progress, it turned out that the GO had called Lagos blogger Seyi Macaulay and threatened “no one fights MFM and survives.”  

Dr. Olukoya told Macaulay that he felt SaharaReporters had taken him for granted, but Macaulay said he told the pastor that it was necessary that the church make amends as the video published by SaharaReporters clearly shows that the crew was maltreated.  Dr. Olukoya would later reveal to Macaulay that he saw things playing out while he was preaching that night and asked Macaulay to let Sowore know that he would be calling to apologize.

Macaulay then called Sowore to intimate him of the developments, including a statement that the GO gave him an appointment   for an interview with the blogger.

Macaulay reported later that when he arrived for the interview at the church premises in Lagos, he met young church members on Facebook and the SaharaReporters website writing anonymous comments to condemn the Saharareporters crew.

The underhanded method had been in effect on the website for several days by church members who posed as different people to post comments on the website vilifying SaharaReporters.  From members of a church that professes love and tolerance, the anonymous comments delivered various threats, insults and condemnations.

But the church’s statement by Pastor Bank –Olemoh attributed MFM’s “open door” media policy to its conviction that it is in the ‘interest of the public.’

The church then sought to justify its action of harassing and molesting the journalists on security challenges in the country, presumably in the North.

“In view of the security challenges facing the nation and the body of Christ in particular, MFM has the right to monitor the movement of people in and around our church premises”, the statement said.

Trying to prove that SaharaReporters was wrong and further needlessly demonizing northern Nigerian Muslims, the statement asked: “Can Sahara barge into a Mosque to cover an event without permission?”

Answer: Our crew in the North once covered for two years covered "great treks" by Muslim sects of the Shiites denomination walking long distance from Kogi, Niger, Lagos, Nassarawa, Abuja and Lokoja to Zaria. SaharaReporters crew in the North has attended breakfast meeting with Muslims several times without molestation. Our crewmembers have attended several events at the Sultan Bello mosque in Kaduna to cover sermons given by Sheikh Gumi and reported several of them on this page.
 
When in Zaria we attended event by Shiites, led by El Zazzaky, inside the sect’s Mosque without molestation or harassment--without prior accreditation.

Members of the sect even offered us water and food, but the same cannot be said for out detention at MFM, where we were denied water even when we offered to buy.  

At the cross-over event, the MFM members were hostile, bestial and intolerant, not only to us but petty ware sellers that converged on the church to make a living. We repeat that some of those poor traders were being openly whipped and that one man was chained to a door close to the dirty toilets at the church’s security post.

Members of MFM may also like to hear that two days after our nightmarish experience at their church, we “barged” into a Masquerade festival in Erekiti, Ondo State.  As a forthcoming footage on Youtube will show, the masquerades and their handlers were nice and warm to us in broad daylight, in complete contrast to our experience in the church.  

MFM asked: “Is Sahara which is based in The United State of America saying it does not know the normal procedure for covering an event?”
Answer:  In the United States we can “barge” into churches and shoot videotape as long as the church invites the public to their crusade or service.  Television stations routinely enter churches uninvited to carry out their journalistic duties.

But above all,  it is important to state that these contradictory and childish questions has already been answered by the MFM church by stating in its release that we duly asked permission and was granted permission by church officials after declaring our intention to film the “Cross Over” service, in fact, three times during our sojourn in the church auditorium we had our identity cards checked by church officials after fully disclosing that we wanted to get to film Dr. Olukoya up close.

SaharaReporters would like to state that there was no way its crew could have gone beyond the spot allowed them by the church who showed them the way to their location in the massive auditorium because Dr. Olukoya operated exclusively from a heavily guarded fenced perimeter where his podium was located. At no time did our crew go beyond the perimeter before the church task force attacked us.

MFM asked: “Can Sahara barge into an event in USA to cover without an accreditation?”

Answer: Yes. The US maintains an open society, as restated recently by President Barack Obama when a public petition drive targeted a British national, Piers Morgan of CNN, because he “barged” into internal American politics by asking for gun control.

It should be noted that most Nigerian journalists who apply for accreditation to cover events do so to collect honorarium, otherwise known as ‘brown envelopes,’ at events. The practice of accreditation has imposed strong limitations on the ability of most Nigerian journalists to perform their duties independently, conduct investigations, and work without fear or favor.  It is the reason that over 25 Nigerian journalists accredited by MFM for the cross-over missed one of the most important events of that night or failed to report it even though they saw it: the arrest and abuse of the SaharaReporters crew.

Finally, the church deliberately left out from its statement, two key questions.  The first is the illegal imprisonment and roughening -up of the reporters for four hours.  

The second is that SaharaReporters also wrote about the brutal treatment, seizure of equipment, and illegal detention of some teenagers within the church premises for selling Christian literature, praise and worship song notes, handkerchiefs and petty items.
MFM, self-absorbed, also ignored this.

The Statement by Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh:
The attention of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has  been drawn to a story on SaharaReporters, alleging how Mr. Omowole Sowore and his crew were mishandled at the cross over night at prayer city on January 1st 2o13.
In as much as we don’t want to join issues with the media organization, we hereby state our position as regards the issue for the benefit of the public.
MFM has an open door policy as regards the media, as many journalists were accredited to cover the cross over night.
Besides, the event was live on social media. Sahara crew never applied and was never accredited as one of the media organizations to cover the event, nevertheless, they were allowed inside the prayer city to film the event, and the crew was only stopped when they went beyond the parameters allowed for media men.
In view of the security challenges facing the nation and the body of Christ in particular, MFM has the right to monitor the movement of people in and around our church premises.

Can Sahara barge into a Mosque to cover an event without permission?
Is Sahara which is based in The United State of America saying it does not know the normal procedure for covering an event?
Can Sahara barge into an event in USA to cover without an accreditation? Therefore, we appeal to the media to respect  the authority of the church just as our doors are open to media organizations in the discharge of duties.
God bless you all.
Singed
Pastor Oladele Bank - Olemoh.
Chair Mfm Publicity committee


http://mobile.saharareporters.com/news-page/mountain-fire-church-desperate-measures-justify-harassment-saharareporters-crew-new-year’s

seanet01: Nigerian Pastors and their skewed mentality

seanet01: Nigerian Pastors and their skewed mentality

Macaulay reported later that when he arrived for the interview at the church premises in Lagos, he met young church members on Facebook and the SaharaReporters website writing anonymous comments to condemn the Saharareporters crew.

PasNet: I took my time to carefully read through this story and came up with these conclusion.

1.MFM was wrong to have "molested" the crew of the SR crew if the claim is true
2.MFM was right to stop the SR crew from going beyond the set perimeter: it is their premises and so have the right to restrict movements at certain jurisdiction
3. MFM was wrong to have allowed the SR crew into their premises without accreditation, since it is in their normal protocol to accredit all media crew, if they had mandated it,I'm sure this will not happen.
4. MFM was right to have called for a peace talk after the whole incidence, although SR crew and the boss turned it down.


Now my questions:
1. What will be the gain/benefit derived if SR successfully deform or tarnish the image of the church?

2. If SR organises an event or a public show,will it not place strict measures to ensure a smoothly run program?

3.Is SR the only media outfit at the event, so much so that they will be singled out for harassment and molestation? Or is their something SR is not telling us?

4. If SR is not the only media outfit at the event,what did SR do that the other media outfits did not do which would have warranted the claim by SR (there can't be a smoke without a fire)

I'm not an MFM member and not even close to it,but going by this story, I feel SR is just trying to make up a story so they can be heard. I'v had experience with this media people and I really don't like the way they paint some of their stories. Just my opinion

samuelorija218: am not in support of any brutality or man- handling of anybody but there are some laid down principles you need to follow to carry out some actions. The church will definitely apologise if the maltreatment story is true.

Cosmopolice: Too long to digest.sahara reporters should pack dere face joor

5columnist:

Sowore is a two faced bleeper! He is milking the international world that supports free speech through his rogue media outfit. An agent of Tinubu, Acn and possibly boko haram as he is known to work closely with el-ruffia.

The question is, why come to the house of God to cause confusion if you are not an agent of the devil?

Sowore has history of being rude to established authority. Definition of human rights is relative. You can come to my house and want to enter my bedroom without permission. That in itself is a criminal offense to cross boundaries set up to maintain orderliness. Stupid boy with no training. A disgrace to Yoruba tribe. A tribe known for their respect for establishments and institutions as well as regards for elders.

“Sahara crew never applied and was never accredited as one of the media organizations to cover the event, nevertheless, they were allowed inside the prayer city to film the event

Trachea: It is obvious from comments that MFM members are desperately trying to defend the action of the church workers.SR was detailed in their write up, with names of people it talked to and dates, while MFM's statement just attempt to explain away the incident. I believe we should detach our emotions enough to decipher what is right or wrong especially in religious matters. One other thing... There is a video of the molestation.Its dificult to argue with video evidence. Don't you think?

Ogojohn: HMMM. RELIGIOUS WAR. TALK OF PROTECTING THEIR OWN. WHAT IS SO SECRET ABOUT MOUNTAIN OF FIRE THAT THEY ARE PROTECTING AND DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SEE OR SR DISCOVERED THAT MOUNTAIN OF FIRE DO NOT WANT IT TO BE REVEALED. THIS QUESTION IS FOR BOTH MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND SR.

GARRI (x7):


Mr. Man, if the principle is contravened does that give them the right to:

1. Chain an unarmed seller to a door close to the toilet??

2. Flog with whips those caught selling??

3. Illegally detain and molest journalist for over 4 hours??

Degis:

That is Sahara lie reporter's version. Do your own investigation and proof whether that was the real deal [size=14pt]before you receive holy slap[/size]

Degis:

That is Sahara lie reporter's version. Do your own investigation and proof whether that was the real deal before you receive holy slap

The Statement by Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh:
The attention of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has  been drawn to a story on SaharaReporters, alleging how Mr. Omowole Sowore and his crew were mishandled at the cross over night at prayer city on January 1st 2o13.
In as much as we don’t want to join issues with the media organization, we hereby state our position as regards the issue for the benefit of the public.
MFM has an open door policy as regards the media, as many journalists were accredited to cover the cross over night.
Besides, the event was live on social media. Sahara crew never applied and was never accredited as one of the media organizations to cover the event, nevertheless, they were allowed inside the prayer city to film the event, and the crew was only stopped when they went beyond the parameters allowed for media men.
In view of the security challenges facing the nation and the body of Christ in particular, MFM has the right to monitor the movement of people in and around our church premises.

Can Sahara barge into a Mosque to cover an event without permission?
Is Sahara which is based in The United State of America saying it does not know the normal procedure for covering an event?
Can Sahara barge into an event in USA to cover without an accreditation? Therefore, we appeal to the media to respect  the authority of the church just as our doors are open to media organizations in the discharge of duties.
God bless you all.
Singed
Pastor Oladele Bank - Olemoh.
Chair Mfm Publicity committee

samuelorija218: On the illegal detention of children they claimed were selling christian literatures; I will like Sahara Reporter to tell us; if those that were "detained illegally" as they claimed were selling theirs wares at the accredited locations (markets) or in the church auditorium before and during the service?
.
Why going beyond the perimeters to films when then sermon of the day was been delivered?
.
Of what basis is Sahara reporters comparing the church with team of masquerades they met in Ondo or where with church? My response to this will this Yoruba wise saying " bi a nse se ni ile wa re; eewo Ile ibi miran ni" (the way we behave in our house might be a taboo in other people's domicile.)
.
P. S: am not in support of any brutality or man- handling of anybody but there are some laid down principles you need to follow to carry out some actions. The church will definitely apologise if the maltreatment story is true.

GARRI (x7):


Mr. Man, if the principle is contravened does that give them the right to:

1. Chain an unarmed seller to a door close to the toilet??

2. Flog with whips those caught selling??

3. Illegally detain and molest journalist for over 4 hours??

GARRI (x7):


Mr. Man, if the principle is contravened does that give them the right to:

1. Chain an unarmed seller to a door close to the toilet??

2. Flog with whips those caught selling??

3. Illegally detain and molest journalist for over 4 hours??

omoredia: Sahara reporter terrorists and nairaland osewa idiot leave churches and christians alone! Or I will make u face the music!

e-herbal:
i cam see that you're the most celebrated fool on NL.If i can deduce from your comment,you're in support of the detention of individuals on the church premises,that is in no way a police station.When did churches become detention camps?Because of your bias,lack of fear of Almighty God,and probably your mental state,your sense of reasoning chaffed to the winds.