Nigeria’s drug approval agency has warned people against buying “miracle products” produced by a church led by popular Nigerian Christian television evangelist Jeremiah Fufeyin.
According to Nafdac, the products, which bear names such as “miracle water” and “water from the Jordan River,” claim to have “fake” healing properties, such as the ability to cure women of infertility.
The statement also said that Mr Fufeyin’s Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry sold these goods even though they did not have NAFDAC approval.
The church responded to Nafdac, saying that the church abides by the law and that it “uses spiritual objects to express their spiritual beliefs.”
In a statement shared on Sunday, Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry said it operates under Nigerian laws, which guarantee freedom of religion without interference.
Nafdac launched an investigation into the products after receiving complaints from citizens, the agency’s statement said.
It was also stated that the products are in violation of regulatory approval and that Fufeyin’s church “refuses to cooperate with the investigation”.
The church, which has hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and is hugely successful on social media, denied the claim, saying it had communicated with Nafdac through letters.
Mr Fufeyin has long had followers from all over the country. He claims to perform miracles and cure diseases.
The pastor has said he is a billionaire but has been criticized for his extravagant lifestyle.
In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for preachers like Mr. Fufeyin to sell products that claim to treat ailments. For example, the late televangelist TB Joshua sold “anointed water” that was said to have healing powers.
A BBC investigation revealed that TB Joshua also encouraged sick members of his congregation to stop taking their prescribed medications.
Meanwhile, he secretly ordered pharmacists to obtain those same prescribed medicines and mix them with the “healing” fruit drinks he gave to his followers.
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