Extortion: Anglican Diocese kicks, says, ‘Ojudu didn’t get his facts right’

The Anglican Diocese of Ekiti has reacted to the much publicised piece of Mr Babafemi Ojudu which lampooned one of the parishes of the diocese for trying to extort friends and families of a deceased during her burial service.

The article: “THE DAY MOURNERS REBELLED IN CHURCH” had attracted so much reaction from netizens since it was publshed on October 13

It was a recap of what transpired during the burial service of Mrs. Kehinde Adebowale Ajifolawe (née Olokesusi) held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oraye, Ise-Ekiti, on Friday, 10th October, 2025.

Ojudu narrated in the article that the parish tried to extort money from worshipers during the service and that there was a mild protest by worshipers who frowned at the action of the parish

But the diocese in a rejoinder signed by its communicator, the Venerable Dr. Samuel Sunday Agunbiade stated that the narrative, though emotionally charged, contains several inaccuracies and misrepresentations of both the facts of the event and the actions of the officiating ministers or the parish workers.

Agunbiade in the statement said the matter was duly investigated by a team set up by the Bishop of the Diocese, The Right Reverend Dr. Andrew Olusola Ajayi.

“Proper findings were made from various eye-witnesses including church staff, burial attendees and relatives known to the family. The situation was totally different from the narrative shared by Senator Ojudu on his social media page.” Said Agunbiade

He then clarified that contrary to what Ojodu wrote the late Mrs. Ajifolawe was 60 years old, not “a woman in her fifties”

“She was not a financial or active member of St. Paul’s Church but was graciously allowed a burial service after much persuasion from both within and outside the Church to promote peace and communal harmony.”

On the donation, he stated, “Contrary to claims that the Vicar of the Church, The Venerable Kehinde Adeona complained or rejected a donation, the niece (on-behalf of the children) of the deceased voluntarily announced a ₦200,000 thanksgiving offering. In addition, two other individuals voluntarily joined them in making donations — a gesture that was spontaneous and heartfelt, not solicited, or coerced by the church.”

Cause of tension

He explained further that the service itself was peaceful and orderly from the account given by all eye-witnesses.

“However, three individuals who arrived during rainfall approached the Vicar alleging that the deceased owed them ₦18.5 million and insisted that the burial should not proceed until the debt was paid. The Vicar, exercising pastoral discretion, declined their request to address the congregation over this matter.

“The only disturbance occurred after the church service, at the graveside, due to this external debt dispute — not due to any conduct of the officiating minister or church officials.

He stressed in the statement that there was no fundraising exercise beyond the voluntary thanksgiving by the family and the two individuals that pledged donations.

The Anglican Church in Ekiti according to him “has no tradition of commercializing burial services, and St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oraye, Ise-Ekiti, followed due liturgical order throughout.”

“The Diocese of Ekiti upholds the highest standards of pastoral conduct and Christian ethics. We encourage the public, the media, and the family of the deceased to remain calm and be assured that truth and justice will always prevail.”

While urging those peddling false narrative to desist, the diocese stated that “the Church remains a refuge of faith and compassion — not a marketplace — and we are committed to preserving that sacred trust.”

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