Adekola: Police Should Shut Down ‘Faith Clinics’

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges police authorities to close down all faith ‘clinics’ and arrest and prosecute operators of these ‘clinics’ across the country. This appeal follows the reported death of a 28-year-old woman, Jumoke Adesuwa, and her newborn during childbirth at the church of one prophetess, Folashade Kikiowo Adekola, in Akure, Ondo state. According to media sources, prophetess Adekola runs a faith clinic at her church, Christ Engracing Deliverance Ministry. Adesuwa went to the church to deliver her baby but developed some complications in the course of delivery and bled to death at the ‘clinic’ at Oke Aro area of Akure, Ondo State.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches welcomes the reported arrest of Prophetess Adekola following the tragic death of Adesuwa and her baby. The police should ensure that she is thoroughly investigated and made to answer for her crimes. Adekola is not alone in the business of faith clinics. Many self-styled prophets and prophetesses have churches and use their churches or spiritual homes as clinics, maternities, and mental health centers. Meanwhile, these prophets and prophetesses have no medical training or experience. They claim that they could heal anyone or get pregnant women to safely deliver by faith. As in the case of Adesuwa, some of the pregnant women develop complications and eventually die.

Pregnant women go to these churches for delivery, believing their faith would save them. As the case of Adesuwa has shown, these churches have no facilities or personnel to ensure safe delivery or to address any complications or emergencies that could arise. Meanwhile, families send members with mental health challenges to these churches and clinics for healing. Faith doctors subject pregnant women and other patients to fasting and prayers as a part of the healing or delivery process. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches enjoins state authorities to close down all churches operating faith clinics nationwide. They should arrest and prosecute all prophets, prophetesses and other self styled godmen and women who operate faith ‘clinics’ because faith clinics pose a danger to public health and well-being.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.