Ekiti Anglican Diocese refutes Ojudu’s claims on rebellious act

The Diocese of Ekiti (Anglican Communion) has dismissed as misleading a recent account by the former senator representing Ekiti Central, Babafemi Ojudu, on events that transpired during the burial service of Kehinde Adebowale Ajifolawe at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Ise-Ekiti.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Diocesan Communicator, Dr Samuel Sunday Agunbiade, on behalf of the Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, The Right Reverend Dr. Andrew Olusola Ajayi, the church described Ojudu’s publication titled “The Day Mourners Rebelled in Church” as inaccurate and emotionally exaggerated.

The diocese stated that a full investigation was conducted following the publication, during which eyewitnesses, church officials, members of the congregation, and relatives of the deceased were interviewed.

The findings, it said, revealed a version of events different from Ojudu’s claims.

According to the diocese, the late Ajifolawe was 60 years old and not “a woman in her fifties,” as reported.

It added that although she was not an active or financial member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the diocese permitted a full burial service in the spirit of peace and communal harmony.

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On the issue of donations, the church clarified that no offering was rejected or solicited.

The church stated that rather, the deceased’s niece, while speaking on behalf of the family, voluntarily announced a N200,000 thanksgiving donation, with two other individuals freely contributing additional funds.

“It was a spontaneous act of gratitude, not a fundraising activity,” the diocese emphasised.

The diocese also debunked claims of unrest during the church service, explaining that the only disturbance occurred later at the graveside when three individuals, alleging the deceased owed them N18.5 million, attempted to halt the burial.

It stated that the Vicar, Venerable Kehinde Adeona, refused their request to disrupt the solemn proceedings.

The church added: “The service itself was peaceful and orderly. No exploitation or coercion took place.

“The Anglican Church in Ekiti has never commercialised burial services and will continue to uphold its liturgical and pastoral integrity.”

Reaffirming its commitment to truth, transparency, and compassion, the diocese urged members of the public to disregard what it termed “a wrong narrative” capable of tarnishing the image of the church.

“The Church remains a refuge of faith and compassion — not a marketplace,” the diocese, while extending prayers for the repose of the deceased’s soul and comfort for her family.

The Star