The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a self-acclaimed clergyman, Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny,” over allegations that he defrauded 18 fellowship members of N2.5 million under the guise of organising a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the suspect was apprehended by detectives attached to the Obantoko Division of the Ogun State Police Command on August 3, 2026, at about 4:45pm, in Ibadan, Oyo State, following four months of sustained intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.
The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrest in a statement made available to journalists, explaining that the suspect had allegedly obtained the funds from fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, under the false pretence of organising the pilgrimage, with each member promised a return of N2 million.
“Following four months of sustained intelligence gathering and discreet investigation, Detectives attached to the Obantoko Division, on 3rd August, 2026, at about 1645hrs, arrested Kehinde Makinde ‘M’, popularly known as ‘Pastor Kenny,’ in Ibadan, Oyo State,” Babaseyi stated.
CDA News Nigeria reports that preliminary investigation further revealed that the suspect had allegedly extended his fraudulent activities beyond Ogun State, fraudulently manipulating unsuspecting victims under the guise of spiritual deliverance across Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States, raising concerns about the scale and reach of his alleged operations.
According to the police, the suspect remains in custody while efforts continue to identify additional victims and apprehend any accomplices connected to the scheme. “The suspect remains in Police custody while efforts continue to identify additional victims and apprehend his accomplices,” the statement added.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that in a related development on the same day, operatives attached to the Owode-Egba Division recovered an abandoned white Toyota Hilux along Alapako-Ogunmakin Road, which its owner later confirmed had been stolen from his residence four days earlier. In a separate operation, detectives also arrested a 31-year-old suspect, Samuel Adetunji, for allegedly stealing a commercial tricycle entrusted to him by its owner, with the vehicle subsequently recovered at Rounder, Abeokuta.
The Ogun State Police Command has continued to warn residents against fraudulent religious schemes promising pilgrimages, financial windfalls, or spiritual solutions, urging members of the public to verify the credentials of individuals or organisations before making any financial commitments.
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