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Fraud Offering: CAN Slams Prophet Fufeyin, Says God Doesn’t Share Booty With Crooks

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedJune 22, 2025

The Christian Association of Nigeria has slammed the General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, over his claim that giving a “first fruit” offering can wipe away sins, including those committed by fraudsters.

CAN described the cleric’s claim as “heresy,” warning Nigerians against being misled by preachers of “dubious theological background.”

Fufeyin made the claim while delivering a sermon at his church.

Popularly called Papa J by his members, Fufeyin has been a subject of controversies, particularly on social media where many of his teachings and activities have sparked widespread criticism.

The Warri-based cleric has been criticised for promoting and selling his miracle products, including special soaps, oil, and perfumes, which he claimed could solve various personal, spiritual and health challenges.

The cleric, who was encouraging his members to come with their first fruits to the church, said, “Your first income, please let it pain you, try God with it. Not that there are no blessings in the year, but the first fruit that you carry once you give it unto the Lord, it breaks protocols, even your sins, it cancels them.”

According to him, just like Jesus Christ was offered as God’s first fruit for the redemption of mankind, believers who give their first earnings to God would also enjoy forgiveness and abundance.

“When God sees that this man (pointing to a man in the congregation) is a fraudster, called 419, but because of the first fruit, God said when He was at the place when the angels were ascending and descending, He said, I the Lord, God of Israel, God of Abraham, I’m surely behind you because of first fruit, that is the product of first fruit,” the cleric said to the cheering of his congregation.

But reacting to the cleric’s claim, the National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of CAN, Abimbola Ayuba said God is not fraudulent, adding that He does not “share booty with crooks” or condone sin simply because of offerings given in church.

He said, “Heresy and false teaching. CAN does not join issues with people of doubtful theological background. CAN recognises approved speakers and men of God in the five blocs, which constitute CAN. It recognises sound theological teachings and respects the various do tribes of its members.

“CAN does not associate with persons of dubious background who manipulate innocent Nigerians and fleece them of their hard-earned resources.

“God is not fraudulent. He has more treasures than any one man. He has everything under his control. He is not a thief that shares booty with crooks.”

Also reacting, the Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, dismissed the sermon as unbiblical.

He challenged Fufeyin to provide scriptural evidence for his position, warning that such teachings could embolden people to continue in sin with the hope that their yearly offering would absolve them.

“He (Fufeyin) is preaching out of context, and he does not know what he is talking about, but we should not be disturbed by such preachers because the Bible says at end-time, there will be false teachers that are not called by God, but they will say God has called them.

“He should let us know where God gave such instruction in the scripture that when you do that then your sins are forgiven, so you can go on sinning with the hope that you have something to give at the beginning of the year,” Adegbite said.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.