The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commenced an investigation of allegations of sexual assault against the senior pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Wuse II in Abuja, Rev. Nashon Azaki,
The senior clergyman was alleged to have suddenly turned into a ‘’sexual predator, harassing female staff members of the church, with the intent of taking undue advantage of them to exploit them sexually. ‘’
NAPTIP Public Relations Officer, Vincent Adekoye, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, confirmed that the agency had received a petition from some concerned members of the church over the sexual assault.
While he refused to mention the personality accused of sexual assault in the petition, he however said that all the parties involved have been invited for interrogation and the agency has vowed to carry on unfettered investigation.
“A petition was written to the Agency on an allegation against somebody in ECWA church. All parties in the matter were invited for interrogation and further investigation continues,” he stated.
Meanwhile, members of ECWA Wuse II in Abuja are calling for the immediate removal of Rev. Azaki, following the allegations of sexual misconduct.
The concerned members claim to have evidence to support their allegations, which include an attempted rape incident at the pastor’s official residence and solicitation of sex from a female employee.
The members have petitioned the ECWA Headquarters in Jos, requesting an urgent investigation and removal of the pastor to protect the church’s image and reputation.
They have also threatened to take civil and legal action if the church fails to act promptly.
“The purpose of this letter is to alert the ECWA Executive about the delicate situation in the church and again appeal for the EE’s urgent intervention. We regret to inform you that failing your immediate action, the concerned members and other well-meaning members of the church would have no alternative than pursue other civil and legal avenues to ensure that their grievances are addressed, but they are concerned about the image and reputation of ECWA Wuse II, the ECWA Church and the Christendom at large,” the petition partly read.
“The present letter is being written to you because the situation in the church has seriously degenerated and is assuming a dangerous dimension which if not immediately arrested may eventually lead to chaos and possible loss of lives. As an attestation to this fact, we were informed that on Sunday February 2, 2025, over 20 armed policemen were deployed by an unknown person to the premises of the church during Sunday service to protect the senior pastor. We have been informed that to date, Rev. Nashon Azaki has not been suspended but has flagrantly continued to perform his pastoral duties despite the weighty allegations made against him contrary to the above-stated laws of ECWA”, the petition partly read.
Rev. Azaki has denied the allegations, describing them as false and stating that the church has already addressed the issues.
However, the concerned members remain adamant that the pastor must be held accountable for his ‘’actions.”