A fresh crisis has erupted in the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria as two pastors, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha and Rev. Isaac Nnaji, clashed over control of a prime church property at 35 Nanka Street, New Haven, Enugu. The dispute, now under police investigation, centers on who has the legitimate authority to manage the multi-million naira asset.
Rev. Nnaji, recently posted to the New Haven District headquarters, claims that his new position gives him control over the property. However, Rev. Obioha, who has overseen the property since 2021, insists he remains the lawful custodian, citing a Power of Attorney issued to him by the church’s Incorporated Trustees.
The Power of Attorney, signed in August 2021 by the former General Superintendent, Rev. Ejikeme Ejim; former General Treasurer, Rev. Vincent Alaje; and the current General Secretary, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh, authorizes Obioha to “take possession, administer, manage and superintend” the property on behalf of the national church. It also permits him to collect rents, issue quit notices, and perform all necessary management actions.
The conflict escalated on October 30, 2025, when Obioha visited the property to collect rent. He alleged he was ambushed by men led by Rev. Nnaji, who warned him never to return.
In a petition to the Commissioner of Police titled “Threat to Life and Malicious Damages,” Obioha claimed he was surrounded for assault before passers-by intervened. The incident caused a traffic jam as residents gathered.
Obioha said his attackers issued a chilling threat: “If they ever see me again on the property, it will only be my dead body that will be seen.” He urged the police to intervene to prevent further violence.
A police source confirmed that the Crack Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has begun investigating. Obioha was interviewed on Monday, while Nnaji was summoned for questioning on Tuesday following the Commissioner’s directive. Nnaji declined to comment, stating, “The case is before the police. I will not talk about it now.”
In a rebuttal, the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Godwin Amaowoh, said Nnaji had no authority over the property. He described the actions of the district superintendent as part of schemes by “unscrupulous elements” to create renewed crisis in the church.
“The property belongs to the Assemblies of God. 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,” Amaowoh said.
He 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 disputes.
