The cordial relationship existing between the Imo State Government, led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the Pentecostal Churches in the state, under the canopy of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria PFN is at the verge of collapse following a recent development which shocked most members of fellowship.
According to information available to Trumpeta, the Chairman of PFN, Imo State Branch, Bishop Maxwell Korie was invited by the police to appear before its state Intelligence Bureau, Police Headquarters Owerri, through an invitation dated 6-11-2013 signed by one Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP, (names withheld).
The invitation said the police was investigating a case of “conduct likely to cause breach of the peace” and continued that “You will please bring the Executive members of the Pentecostal Fellowship Nigeria, Owerri branch”.
However, some members of the PFN who spoke to Trumpeta under anonymity said they feared that Imo State Government may have instigated of the police invitation of their president, Bishop Korie, who has been having a running battle with Owerri Capital Development Authority OCDA over the premises of his church, Lifeline Assembly, located at Orlu road, Owerri which OCDA said is situated on an illegal plot, and therefore marked for demolition any moment from now.
The PFN members even said that the way and manner their President was invited showed no respect, as if he had committed an offence that warranted such summon, pointing out that if it were a Bishop from another denomination, police would not have so summoned him with such ignominy.
Trumpeta learnt that the Pentecostal President had honoured the police invitation, but was not forth coming in letting the Newspaper know what transpired between him and the police, as his phone lines remained switched-off till time of going to press.
Meanwhile, a source from Government House Owerri, told Trumpeta that the Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha was not even aware that President of PFN was invited by the police as he does not dictate the job of police for them, pointing out that OCDA is a Government parastal operating on its own, as the Governor does not know anything about demolition of property as it is solely the responsibility of OCDA and other Agencies.
A police source who spoke to Trumpeta under anonymity confirmed the PFN invitation, adding that the PFN President was purely invited for security reasons following intelligent report that Imo PFN was planning to hold a rally, and that the PFN President was left after entertaining some questions from the police.
