Rita Odafe
Pastor in Controversial Dispute Over Paternity Claims
A tense situation erupted at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ogun State recently. A commercial driver, Badiru Folarin, confronted the church’s founder, Prophet Abiodun John, amidst allegations of an affair and claims about the paternity of his child.
Folarin accused the pastor of claiming to be the father of his four-year-old daughter. He expressed that he learned about the affair through his 14-year-old son, who noticed that his mother frequently visited the pastor and prepared meals for him during Folarin’s absence.
Folarin’s Account:
Folarin asserted, “The pastor insists that my in-law gave my wife to him. Can a woman really belong to two men? He confronted me, stating he fathered our youngest child, and my wife cursed me, wishing for my demise to enjoy her new life.”
He recounted, “I am a driver who provides for my family. I was alarmed by my wife’s continuous church attendance, claiming she was there for spiritual healing. My mother-in-law was also worried about our family’s well-being due to her absences.”
During the chaos, Morufat, Folarin’s wife, declared she would not abandon her husband but surprisingly acknowledged the pastor as the father when pressured to choose between them.
“I can’t marry two men. My husband isn’t taking care of me, and I’ll deal with him once we’re home,” she stated.
Folarin retorted, “You are not welcome back at my house. Anything could happen if you try to return.”
Reflecting on the situation, Folarin admitted disbelief when alerted about the affair until his son directly confirmed it.
“I never imagined my wife would betray me. She began attending church for healing, and soon after, the rumors started,” he shared.
Folarin revealed that he provided daily support to his wife, funding her church activities, unaware that the money was used to cater to her pastor lover.
He lamented, “I trusted her, and the pastor even gave me items meant for prosperity while my business faced setbacks. I have been married for over 30 years and supported her well.”
After some heated exchanges regarding their children and the pastor’s claims, Folarin initiated attempts to remove his children from Morufat’s influence but encountered resistance.
As a result of their scandal, the couple’s son disclosed his mother’s threats against him for informing his father about her secretive relationship with the pastor.
“She was furious at me for revealing her secrets and even threatened me,” he recalled.
In attempts to address the allegations, Pastor John maintained he was indeed the biological parent of Morufat’s children, speculating on further implications of the affair.
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Pastor Acknowledges Long-Term Affair and Paternity Dispute
In a surprising revelation, Prophet John Abiodun, who leads the Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Orisun Iye Parish, has openly discussed his two-decade-long affair with a woman named Morufat.
Prophet Abiodun shared, “For about 20 years, I have been in a relationship with Morufat, a woman whose husband left her with two children.”
He explained that he previously relocated his church from Ijamido in Ota to the Iloye area in Sango-Ota. Morufat first came to him two decades ago, bringing her young children, Serifat and Saidat, for spiritual help.
After some time at the church, where they developed a relationship, she left but returned a year later, this time expecting a baby with her husband. He expressed disappointment over her pregnancy, given her earlier claims about her spouse’s irresponsibility.
According to Abiodun, Morufat told him her husband had abandoned her again, prompting him to assist her during childbirth. However, following the delivery, they lost contact until he spotted her while overseeing his new church’s construction nearby.
Their connection rekindled when Morufat approached him during financial troubles. She expressed a lack of interest in her marriage due to ongoing issues with her husband and her mother’s pressure to stay married, despite having five children by that time.
Abiodun admitted that their affair contributed to the breakdown of his own marriage, with his wife leaving him three years ago upon discovering his involvement with Morufat. He mentioned a prior arrangement made with Morufat’s mother regarding their daughter, including plans to reclaim her when she turned ten.
Abiodun further detailed his financial support during Morufat’s pregnancy and delivery. He clarified that Morufat’s husband had also contributed financially for her hospital expenses but insisted that he is the biological father of the child.
In a surprising twist, he confidently stated, “I have no shame in admitting my affair or that I fathered Morufat’s latest child.” He also claimed responsibility for the upbringing of some of her other children and noted that her husband was uninvolved in their lives.
Despite acknowledging his role as a father, Abiodun declared that he would not marry Morufat, citing her past relationships with other men as a barrier. He asserted, “I cannot take her as a wife due to her history.”
He emphasized that he is merely acknowledging his paternity, as Morufat herself confirmed it in front of others. “Our families are aware that I am the real father of the baby, and I stand firm on this assertion,” he concluded.
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Source: The Nation
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