The Coalition for Law Enforcement Justice (CLEJ) has defended Apostle Kassy Chukwu over the ongoing dispute involving Omega Fire Ministries and Dr. Azemhe Azena, accusing Azena of initiating police action against Chukwu before later portraying himself as a victim.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the coalition described as “biased and misleading” a recent press release by the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights concerning the controversy.
According to CLEJ, the public has been presented with a distorted account of events.
“The public is being fed a narrative that paints Dr. Azemhe Azena as a helpless victim of police intimidation. The absolute truth is the exact opposite,” the statement said.
The coalition alleged that Azena was the first to petition law enforcement authorities against Apostle Kassy Chukwu and others.
“It was actually Dr. Azemhe Azena who first took the aggressive step of petitioning law enforcement and mobilizing the police to harass Apostle Kassy Chukwu and others. The legal actions currently being pursued by Apostle Kassy are entirely defensive and were taken only after Dr. Azena initiated a campaign of police harassment against him,” CLEJ stated.
The group argued that Apostle Kassy had every right to seek legal redress in response to actions taken against him.
“A man cannot initiate police hostility against an individual and then turn around to cry foul when that individual utilizes the same law enforcement and judicial channels to defend his name, rights, and dignity,” the statement added.
Addressing criticisms that Apostle Kassy lacked standing in the matter, CLEJ said the cleric’s intervention stemmed from both his public advocacy role and concerns about the integrity of the Christian faith.
“Beyond being a respected cleric, Apostle Kassy Chukwu is a well-known public affairs commentator and social justice advocate who has consistently used his platform to speak out against societal ills, falsehood, and deception,” the coalition said.
The group further claimed that Azena resigned from his pastoral duties at Omega Fire Ministries on health grounds but subsequently established a new church and resumed active ministry.
“Dr. Azemhe Azena formally stepped down from his pastoral duties at Omega Fire Ministries, citing severe health issues that allegedly incapacitated him from continuing his ministerial work. Immediately after stepping down on the grounds of ill health, he opened a brand-new church and resumed intensive ministerial activities,” CLEJ alleged.
According to the coalition, Apostle Kassy’s comments were motivated by a desire to protect the reputation of the church.
“Apostle Kassy’s public commentary is born out of a righteous indignation to protect the Christian faith and ensure that the Church is presented in a clean, transparent and credible light before the world,” the statement said.
CLEJ also highlighted the spiritual relationship between Apostle Kassy Chukwu, Apostle Johnson Suleman and Dr. Azemhe Azena, describing Suleman as a mentor to both men.
“When an eighteen-year protégé walks away from a ministry using deceit and subsequently uses law enforcement to harass those who stand by the truth, it is only natural, biblical and honorable for a loyal son to stand up and defend the integrity of his spiritual father’s house,” the coalition stated.
The group urged civil society organisations and commentators to thoroughly investigate issues before issuing public statements.
“We strongly advise external commentators and civil society groups to investigate matters thoroughly before rushing to issue emotionally charged press statements,” CLEJ said.
The coalition maintained that Apostle Kassy Chukwu acted within his rights and reiterated its support for due process and the pursuit of justice in the matter.