Daughter of Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God, RCCG, Charity Uzoechina, whose father
alleged was hypnotised and forced into converting to Islam has
finally spoken on her conversion.
Charity, who has been living at the palace of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji
Yahaya Abubakar, since converting to Islam has called on
Nigerians to leave her alone to practice the religion of her
choice.
Speaking on telephone to Vanguard yesterday, Charity insisted
that nobody forced her into Islam, and therefore urged
everyone concerned to hold their peace and let her practice her
new found faith.'
“I did it on my own. Nobody forced or enticed me to become a
Muslim. I converted to Islam on my own. Am I the first to
convert to Islam in Nigeria? So what is it?”
Pastor Raymond Uzoechina, had earlier claimed that Charity
was abducted and hypnotised to say and do what she was
doing. He went on to challenge the Etsu Nupe to produce
Charity in court for cross-examination by his lawyer.
Charity however said; “I know people are influencing my father
and I am praying for him and other members of my family to
know that this is the right religion.”
Charity whose father has been fuming about her continued stay
at the Etsu Nupe’s palace also said she was not interested in
going back to her father’s house.
“I am not going back to my father because of his actions in
recent times. He has been threatening me and at my age (25),
I am free to practice any religion of my choice and so, I should
be left to decide.
“If I want to sue him to court, I can at this my age because it is
my right to practice any religion I want.”
A Sharia court had earlier granted Etsu Nupe custody of Charity
who now wants to be called Aisha, a ruling her father appealed
on grounds that a Sharia court has no jurisdiction of a matter
concerning a Christian in a free state like Nigeria. The appeal
ruling is slated for August, but the Christian Association of
Nigeria, CAN, Niger State Chapter would love the issue settled
out of court.
Speaking to newsmen, Niger State CAN Chairman, Rev. Musa
Dada, said CAN had visited the Etsu Nupe’s palace along with
other CAN officials from Abuja officially on the matter and that
plans were on to settle the case out of court.
“We have met with the Etsu Nupe and other stake holders
involved at the Etsu’s palace and we have made progress.
“I can assure you that probably before the August 1 (Thursday)
date, when the case is expected to come up at the Sharia
Court, Bida, something positive is likely to come out which will
put an end to the rift,” Dada said.