The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Bishop Ndibueze Okorie Onyagoziri, the General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral.
The high profile Bishop was arrested for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with a 22-year-old female sickle-cell patient under the pretense of “changing her genotype” from SS to AA.
According to multiple sources, operatives from the state command took custody of the cleric on October 1, 2025.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, verified that Bishop Onyagoziri is still in police custody as investigations continue.
Allegations: Promise of Spiritual Healing via Sex
The complainant, a 22-year-old woman living with sickle cell disease, claims the bishop convinced her that he could transform her genotype from SS to AA through repeated sexual intercourse as part of a purported divine healing ritual.
She alleged that the bishop insisted this “treatment” would last for seven consecutive days, after which her blood genotype would be cured.
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The woman further stated that when the promised healing did not materialize, her health deteriorated. She also alleged that the bishop threatened to publish intimate images of them online to coerce her into compliance.
She claimed that the healing ritual required her to reside in his church premises, where the sexual encounters allegedly occurred.
In his statement, DSP Ukandu confirmed Onyagoziri’s arrest and affirmed that the matter is being investigated. However, he declined to disclose further details until the investigation is complete.
The case has drawn significant public attention and outrage, given the sensitive nature of the alleged offense and the vulnerability of the complainant as a sickle-cell patient. Media outlets have described it as one of several disturbing instances of unscrupulous individuals exploiting faith and medical vulnerabilities.
If the allegations are substantiated, the bishop could face criminal charges including sexual assault, defilement, extortion/blackmail, and other provisions under Nigerian criminal law concerning abuse and exploitation.
Legal experts note that such a case would test both the criminal justice system and the accountability of religious leaders.
Medical professionals and patient advocacy groups have reacted with dismay. They emphasize that there is no scientific basis for claims that sexual activity can change one’s genotype. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder in which genotype (commonly “SS” in homozygous cases) is determined at conception and cannot be altered by external acts or rituals.
