A fresh crisis has broken out within the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, pitting two senior pastors against each other over the control and management of a prime, multi-million-naira church asset located at 35 Nanka Street, New Haven, Enugu, Africa Update has gathered.
The dispute, which has escalated from an internal disagreement into a physical confrontation and a formal police investigation, centers on who holds the legitimate authority to administer the valuable property.
The confrontation involves Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, who claims lawful custodianship via a document from the national body, and Rev. Isaac Nnaji, the recently posted District Superintendent for the New Haven District where the property is situated.
Rev. Nnaji reportedly insists that his new position grants him managerial control over the asset. However, Rev. Obioha maintains he remains the authorized custodian, a role he has executed since 2021 based on a valid Power of Attorney issued to him by the Incorporated Trustees of the church.
Tensions erupted violently on October 30, 2025, when Rev. Obioha visited the premises to perform the routine task of collecting rent from a tenant. Obioha alleged in a petition that he was ambushed by men led by Rev. Nnaji, who warned him to never return.
In a petition titled “Threat to Life and Malicious Damages” to the Commissioner of Police, Obioha narrated the frightening encounter: “They enveloped me for the purpose of assaulting me before passers-by intervened to rescue me.”
Obioha further alleged that his attackers issued a chilling threat before fleeing: “If they ever see me again on the property, it will only be my dead body that will be seen.” The commotion reportedly caused a traffic jam as residents rushed to the scene..
The validity of Rev. Obioha’s claim rests on a Power of Attorney signed in August 2021 by high-ranking officials, including the former General Superintendent, Rev. Ejikeme Ejim; former General Treasurer, Rev. Vincent Alaje; and the current General Secretary, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh.
The document expressly authorised Obioha to “take possession, administer, manage and superintend” the property on behalf of the national church, empowering him to collect rents, issue quit notices, and carry out all necessary management actions.
In a sharp rebuttal, the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh, insisted that Rev. Nnaji had no authority over the disputed property. Amaowoh described the District Superintendent’s actions as part of ongoing schemes by “unscrupulous elements” intent on stirring renewed crisis in the church.
“The property belongs to the Assemblies of God,” Amaowoh stated firmly. “Okechukwu was given a valid Power of Attorney to represent the church. It is unfortunate that we are still experiencing this kind of internal sabotage despite the Supreme Court judgment of 2017.”
He directly accused Nnaji of “resorting to thuggery in the name of being District Superintendent,” and vowed that the national leadership would reclaim all church assets allegedly withheld during past internal disputes.
Meanwhile, police sources confirmed that the Crack Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has commenced an investigation. Rev. Obioha was interviewed on Monday, while Rev. Nnaji was summoned for questioning on Tuesday following the Commissioner’s directive.
Contacted for comment, Rev. Nnaji declined to speak, stating, “The case is before the police. I will not talk about it now.”
