Popular Lagos pastor, Dr. Tony Rapu of This Present House, headquartered in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, has denied losing millions of Naira to fraudsters.
News, it would be recalled, had gone out yesterday that the Delta-born preacher was allegedly swindled of N23,320,000 by one Olawunmi Dilureni in an oil deal gone sour.
The woman was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretense and stealing to the tune of N23,320,000.
She was subsequently hurled before Justice S.O Solebo of the Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, and accused of defrauding one Anthony Rapu, mistaken for Pastor Tony Rapu, Nellie St. Matthew-Daniel and Eyitope St. Matthew-Danie of the said sum.
But refuting the story, the pastor, who spoke through one Enitan Olowookere via a press statement said: ‘Our attention has been drawn to a story carried by various media outlets stating that someone named ‘Tony Rapu’ is a party in an alleged fraud case involving one Olawunmi Dilureni and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
‘We hereby notify the public that Pastor Tony Rapu is in no way connected to the alleged fraud case. Pastor Rapu never invested in a diesel supply business as alleged, nor has he been defrauded by any Olawunmi Oluremi; neither is he a party to any case with the EFCC. We request the media outlets concerned to immediately retract the publications to avoid further action.
‘Dr Tony Rapu, who works tirelessly to tackle social issues such as drug addiction, prostitution and urban development, is currently excited about his critically-acclaimed “My Lagos Diaries” series. My Lagos Diaries is a 13-week video journal documenting inspiring stories of transformation compiled over 12 years.