By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has accused the Senior Prophet Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, Delta State, Mr Jeremiah Omoto, of using its “name to deceive unsuspecting public” for the sale of his purported miracle soap and water.
Recall that in the past few months, the cleric has been in the eye of the storm over his miracles and the sale of some items he claimed do wonders.
A social media influencer, Mr Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, had to purchase these items to test their potencies. He later petitioned NAFDAC when the products could not perform as advertised.
On Sunday, the Director General of the agency, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, warned Nigerians to be wary of products from the church, noting that it has refused to “present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered miracle products.”
“Upon receipt of the petitions [from members of the public], NAFDAC, through the Director Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) NAFDAC, contacted the Delta State Coordinator to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with the Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products in Delta State Office.
“The Coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the Ministry where the Miracle water and other products are produced. The State Coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for 3000 naira from the Ministries and took the pictures.
“On Wednesday 14th August 2024, the State Coordinator Delta State visited the Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service (HOS) – Mr Ogunleye Fufeyin and the Chief Security Officer (CSO). The officials denied producing Miracle and Healing Water or Soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase.
“He claimed that only the logo and address on the label were theirs but not the product. The HOS added that they only have a pool of Bethsaida water which is spiritual and artificial. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO.
“On 27th August 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC and Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the Ministry, to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team. Letters of invitation was issued to the officials to report on 28th August, but it was not honoured. The company instead submitted a Legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters Abuja on 28th August 2024 and asked to come back on the 3rd September 2024 to organise their document before coming. The Agency then gave the Prophet till 29th to report at investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC Office Asaba for further necessary investigation.
“Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of investigation, but they still refused to show up. On 3rd September 2024, they forwarded some documents instead asking for more time to report.
“In a document, made available to NAFDAC Office in the evening of 3rd September, the faith organization claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, DSC Expressway, Otokutu, Delta State without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta State. This act is illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.
“In continuation of our investigation NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of Fake NAFDAC Registration Number.
“At this point, it is very clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered “Miracle” products.
“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.
“In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organization with regards to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them. I want to use this opportunity to warn either faith organizations against illegal production of regulated product without requisite regulatory requirements.
“I want to assure Nigerians of our resolve to continue safeguarding health of the citizens,” Mrs Adeyeye said.
Adedapo Adesanya