Enenche bows to pressure, apologises to lady he accused of giving false testimony

The Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC) has apologised to Vera Anyim, a worshipper accused of giving “fake testimony” in the church.

On Sunday, Anyim testified in front of the congregation how she became the first graduate in her family.

Anyim said despite the challenges, God made it possible for her to graduate with a “Law degree from the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN)”.

Paul Enenche, the church’s senior pastor, however, inquired what kind of “Law degree”, to which the lady answered “BSc in Law”.

The cleric immediately pointed out that there is no such thing as a “BSc in law” — casting doubt on her testimony.

A widely circulated video from the church’s service also attracted a chorus of condemnation against Enenche and a call for the cleric to apologise to Vera.

This was after a Facebook post of Vera celebrating her convocation as a NOUN student went viral.

Vera’s name was also spotted on the NOUN graduation list (number 2262).

In a statement shared via X by Sylvester Udoh, the personal assistant to the senior pastor, on Monday, Enenche said his action was never meant to embarrass Anyim.

It said the cleric’s action stemmed from the church’s aversion to dishonesty or mediocrity.

The statement added that Enenche “feels deeply concerned” about Vera and had reached out to her “personally”.

“A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th of April 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family,” the statement reads.

“These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario: First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met. Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.

“Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally. These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a “lie.

“However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university. It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.

“The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.

“While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence and intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica.

“The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and has already reached out to her. As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna.”

Vera also took to her Facebook page to disclose that she had “a warm meeting” with Enencho, who she referred to as “my spiritual father”.

“I want to inform the whole world that I just had a warm meeting with my spiritual father and mother dr Paul Enenche and dr Becky Enenche,” she wrote.

“I don’t have any grudge against the church or them. I remain committed to serving God as a member of Dunamis church. I am thankful for the concern of the public.

“I have put the situation at my back and I have moved forward and I want everybody to do the same. Peace.”