Nigerian Pastor Investigated for Allegedly Detaining Wife

Authorities in Rivers State, Nigeria, have invited a pastor Prophet Umueke Miracle, leader of the Dynamic Flame of Fire and Miracle Ministries, for questioning after allegedly detaining his wife, Success Miracle, for five days. The incident, which took place in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Port Harcourt, has generated public outrage over claims of domestic abuse and financial control.

According to local media reports, the incident is part of a longstanding pattern of control and financial abuse that has plagued the marriage since 2017. This case shines a spotlight on issues of abuse in Nigeria, where religious leaders wield significant influence, often extending beyond spiritual guidance into various facets of societal life. However, allegations of misconduct and abuse have occasionally marred this prominence within religious institutions.

Allegations of Financial Control and Abuse

Nigerian media sources report that the prophet had imposed strict rules forbidding his wife from opening a bank account or having financial independence, despite failing to provide her with money for personal expenses.

“We have been married since 2017. Anytime we have issues, he would put me under house arrest. He made it clear that I should not have my own money or even open a bank account, but he wasn’t giving me money either,” Success told SaharaReporters.

She further accused her husband, Prophet Miracle, of accumulating properties in his name while engaging in extramarital affairs. She repeatedly requested a financial settlement, but he allegedly refused, claiming that church funds could not address their marital issues.

Faced with financial hardship, Success secretly opened a bank account with Access Bank and started a small business selling water and other supplies needed for the ministry. Some ministry staff reportedly assisted her in making sales and depositing proceeds into the account.

However, Prophet Miracle eventually discovered the account after allegedly deceiving bank staff into revealing her balance by falsely claiming he intended to deposit ₦500 million. The bank then disclosed that she had ₦5 million in her account.

“Anytime I tell him that he should settle me (give me money) so I can leave, he would say he has no money. I keep reminding him of how I helped him and suffered with him, but he refuses to settle me,” she said.

When he learned about the account, Success claimed that her husband accused her of “stealing his money and running a business under his ministry without his permission.”

Forced Detention in GRA

On Tuesday night, Prophet Miracle allegedly forced his wife into his car and took her to a house in GRA, behind Casablanca, opposite the former Rita Gate. He confiscated her phones to prevent her from reaching anyone.

“He told me he was going to sue me and has kept me here since Tuesday night. It’s not a prison; it’s a normal house that I think he rented,” she said.

Police Intervention and Investigation

Following the allegations, Prophet Miracle was invited by the police for questioning. Concerns arose that he might have influence over local law enforcement, leading SaharaReporters to contact Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.

In response, the commissioner swiftly deployed a police team, led by DPO Abacha, to the location where Success was allegedly being held.

Denying any affiliation with the pastor, CP Adepoju told Saharareporters that he would not do such a thing.
“I don’t know any pastor. How can I allow someone to be locked inside the house? Am I an animal? Even a DPO would not allow that. People exaggerate a lot,” he said.

When contacted by phone, Prophet Miracle denied detaining his wife. However, when the commissioner asked to speak directly with Success, the cleric insisted that he should be spoken to first.

Despite initial resistance, the police ensured that Mrs. Miracle was freed from the house and taken to the station to provide a statement.

At the station, Success confirmed that her husband had systematically isolated her from her family and restricted her communication.

“Any little thing, he would seize the phone. Everyone in the house does not have a phone because of me, so that I would not get any phone to make calls,” she told the police.

Pattern of Abusive Behaviour

Amid speculation that Prophet Miracle had the police in his pocket, DPO Abacha dismissed the allegations, stating:
“I don’t know that man. They said we are on his payroll — I said ahhahh, somebody I don’t even know. We had to trace the house to locate the place; we don’t know him.”

The police confirmed they conduct ongoing investigations and will determine further action based on the findings.

The police’s denials fall short, especially since Prophet Umueke Miracle has a history of actions that raise concerns about a pattern of violent and authoritarian behaviour.

In 2022, the clergyman, who also serves as the registered trustee of Dynamic Flame of Fire Miracle Ministries, allegedly stormed the premises of Rivers State Television (RSTV) with his security detail. The station’s Production Director, Glorious Abel, faced abduction and brutality after he cut short one of the journalist’s sponsored programs, as reported by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The authorities have not taken any action regarding this alleged abuse, as there is currently no evidence to suggest otherwise.

Notable Cases of Abuse Allegations

This case is not an isolated incident. Cases of abuse in the name of religion abound in Nigeria. One prominent example involves the late T.B. Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). In 2024, a BBC investigation reported that Joshua had allegedly abused followers over more than 15 years, with accusations including rape, torture, and forced abortions. The report described SCOAN as a cult-like environment where at least 150 individuals lived as disciples, sometimes for years or decades. SCOAN denied these allegations, and the report led to widespread controversy, with some African media outlets criticizing the BBC’s findings.

Another case involves Anthony Odiong, a Catholic priest with ties to Texas and Louisiana, who faced multiple sexual assault charges in 2024. Allegations against Odiong included fathering at least two children with his victims and planning to flee to Nigeria to evade prosecution. DNA evidence confirmed his paternity of a child born from one of the assaults, highlighting a pattern of misconduct and potential abuse of faith.

Religious Influence in Nigerian Society

The pervasive influence of religion in Nigeria extends into politics, education, and social norms. Religious institutions often fill gaps left by the state, providing essential services and acting as arbiters in community matters. This deep entwinement can lead to challenges, especially when allegations of misconduct arise within these institutions.

Extremist groups like Boko Haram have exploited religious sentiments to justify violence, particularly targeting women’s education. Their anti-education stance aims to prevent societal progress by oppressing women. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive strategy that includes promoting women’s education as a means to counter extremist narratives and foster societal development.

Mimi Mefo Info