A former security aide to Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church and journalist, Ben Okezie has revealed the story behind his ex-boss’ animosity towards the late TB Joshua.
In a Facebook post published hours back, the veteran journalist and security expert described the actions of Okotie and his ilk as pure jealousy. Below is the text of the post as obtained by our correspondent. Please note that as usual with most Facebook posts, it was probably written extempore, hence the mechanical and grammatical lapses. Nevertheless, the message is clear enough.
JEALOUSY!
By Ben OKEZIE
A man whose future was predicted while he was in his mother’s womb, and eventually became what was said of him. Although his manner of preaching and lifestyle do not conform with the perception of other men of God and so, they labelled him with various name tag. Even to the extent of describing him as devil’s incarnate. Only God knows best. The person was Prophet Temitope B. Joshua.
Many years back, l was the Chief Security officer of Household of God Church, Oregon, Lagos. Pastor Chris Okotie was the Pastor in charge of the church. It happened that a news broke out alledging that our neighbor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome who was in charge of Christ Embassy Church had visited Prophet TB Joshua in his church and received an impartation from him.
This is to enable him (Pastor Oyakhilome) to operate in the same spiritual dimension as TB Joshua in deliverance and healing. That week on a Wednesday evening service, Pastor Okotie lambasted Pastor Oyakhilome for going to consult with Prophet TB Joshua. However there ensued a Media war between Okotie and Oyakhilome which degenerated to the extent that members of both churches were no longer seeing themselves in the same light. According to Okotie, Pastor Oyakhilome had sold himself out to the devil.
Sequel to this an invitation was received from the office of the Lagos State Police Commissioner who was then Sir Mike Okiro. On the day of the meeting, I had escorted Pastor Okotie to the venue of the meeting, I was seated next to him on the left hand side while the Church lawyer Mr Abu sat next to him on the right hand side. Inside a hall directly opposite us, one meter away was Prophet TB Joshua and his Chief security officer. Unfortunately Oyakhilome was said to be out of the country so one of his Pastor represented him at the meeting. No journalist was allowed into the hall at the police headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos. While waiting for the Commissioner of Police, there was a graveyard silence inside the hall. Okotie’s head was bowed down probably in prayer or trying to avoid any eye contact with TB Joshua. Suddenly Okotie tapped me and said in hush tone, “Bro Ben why is he looking at me like that?” I asked, “Who pastor?” He said, “That devil opposite me.” And instantly Pastor Okoite faced TB Joshua, directing his glance at him and said, “Don’t look at me like that!â€
A smiling TB Joshua responded, “You are my senior. I am appreciating you.” None of them exchanged greetings as they walked in. Okoite looked more furious while addressing him, warning him to desist from casting his glance at him. Before Prophet Joshua could respond the second time Commissioner of Police walked in. After greeting all the Men Of God, he warned them to forthwith stop all the media war, noting that such can degenerate into a religious crisis in the State. He further threatened that he will arrest any of them who flouts his instructions. He urged them to conduct themselves as Men of God which they were. After the Commissioner left the venue of the meeting Pastor Okoite delayed standing up in a bid to avoid anymore close contact with TB Joshua, even when Prophet TB Joshua waved him goodbye, but waited until he exited the hall before he stood up for us to leave the venue.
Years later as I watches EMMANUEL TV and the activities of Prophet TB Joshua, I came to the strong realization that there is tint of jealousy between many Pentecostal church leaders and Prophet TB Joshua. How can anyone convince me that God’s hand was not in his ministry weeks after the Haiti earthquake where the international hotel I had logged in was swallowed by the earthquake one month after we left Haiti while on representing the Inspector General of Police to oversee the activities of Nigerians contingents In Haiti? TB Joshua was the only man of God in Nigeria who reached out to the displaced people of Haiti with a plane load of relief materials and has replicated such Philantropic gesture to numerous countries, Organizations and millions of people.
Here is a man who has severally distinguished himself through practical humility, also expressing genuine love and Care to the needy, a man who have touched the world through his simple preaching of the gospel, deliverance, healing and prophecy has reached out to many Presidents and world leaders and has become the greatest religious icon from Nigeria yet many Nigerian Pentecostal leaders speaks evil of him even in death.
Only God will judge on the last day.
