Primate Ayodele denies alleged extortion, says Adelabu sought my help

The Founder and Head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied allegations that he attempted to extort N150 million from the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, describing the claims as false and misleading-

Ayodele, in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, said he never asked Adelabu for money, insisting that the request for trumpets was not for personal gain but a spiritual recommendation meant for the minister’s own benefit.

According to the cleric, it was Adelabu who asked about the cost of the trumpets, prompting him to provide a price estimate while advising the minister to independently verify the cost from the market.

Ayodele alleged that Adelabu and members of his team — including his personal assistant — pressured him repeatedly, claiming the minister was “desperate” to secure the Oyo State governorship seat.

He said: “I didn’t ask Bayo Adelabu to bring money for prayers. I simply told him to send someone to the market to check the price of the trumpet while someone from my end accompanies them. His personal assistant, himself, and the person he sent to me put me under serious pressure because he was desperate for the governorship.

“He even said he was willing to give anything to become the next governor of Oyo State.”

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The cleric stated that he informed Adelabu he was unlikely to secure the governorship ticket and advised him to seek divine mercy by purchasing the musical instruments — not for his church, but as an act of spiritual obedience.

Ayodele said Adelabu declined, and the matter ended there.

“I told him they wouldn’t want to give him the ticket, but if he wanted it so badly, he should seek God’s mercy by buying the musical instruments for God—not for my church,” he added.

Ayodele also maintained that he had long prophesied that Adelabu’s governorship bid would require divine grace, noting that his prophecies were not influenced by the minister’s refusal to buy the trumpet.

Ayodele stated: “I have said for years that it would take divine grace for him to become governor of Oyo State. That is why he reached out to me.

“I never spoke with him until he sent people to me and personally sought spiritual help. I don’t make prophecies for money; I am already blessed. My prophecies after our discussion had nothing to do with the trumpet.”

The Star