Israel Ogundipe, a popular prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ, has stated that a bank gave him a loan of N1 billion.
Ogundipe, the founder of Genesis Global Ministry in Lagos, stated that he was offered the loan to assist him develop his ministry and reach more followers abroad.
On Tuesday, he announced this while appearing on a show hosted by prominent Nigerian on-air personality Ifedayo Olarinde, better known as Daddy Freeze.
He also said that the bank, which he declined to name, showed him information about churches that had received similar loans.
Ogundipe added that according to the list he was given, several churches received loans ranging from N3 billion to N4 billion.
“A bank called me two months ago and claimed they wanted to lend me N1 billion. They gave me a loan, and I enquired what it was for. They responded that they are aware that churches are receiving it (the loan), and that they are certain that I would be able to repay it because my church is large.
“Then I enquired how they wanted me to pay back, and they responded that when we perform revivals and crusades, we’ll pay back monthly.
“They also listed certain churches that received loans from them ranging from N3 billion to N4 billion. And I asked how they expected me to repay such a large sum, and they responded that individuals who collect such debts would never cease holding conferences, crusades, and revivals, and from there, they would receive money to repay,” the pastor added.
In 2020, Ogundipe was convicted and sentenced to prison for scamming a London-based architect and converting her property for personal use.
The priest was charged with seven counts of theft, wrongful conversion of property, forgery, and unlawfully collecting N14 million and £12,000 from the victim between 2002 and 2005.