Police Arrest Suspected Fake Pastor Over Alleged N2.5m Jerusalem Pilgrimage Scam in Ogun
Operatives of the Obantoko Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a suspected fake clergyman, Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny,” over an alleged N2.5 million Jerusalem pilgrimage scam.
Makinde was arrested on Monday, August 3, 2026, at about 4:45 p.m. in Ibadan, Oyo State, following four months of intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.
The suspect is alleged to have defrauded 18 fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after allegedly posing as a pastor and claiming that he could facilitate a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
According to the police, Makinde allegedly collected approximately N2.5 million from the victims and promised each of them N2 million in connection with the purported pilgrimage programme.
The police said his arrest followed investigations into allegations that he had been exploiting unsuspecting members of the public by posing as a clergyman and offering fraudulent spiritual deliverance services across Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Abeokuta.
He said, “Following four months of sustained intelligence gathering and discreet investigation, detectives attached to the Obantoko Division, on 3rd August, 2026, at about 1645hrs, arrested Kehinde Makinde ‘M’, popularly known as ‘Pastor Kenny,’ in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The arrest followed investigations into allegations that the suspect fraudulently manipulated unsuspecting victims under the guise of spiritual deliverance across Ogun, Oyo and Osun States.
“Preliminary investigation further revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained approximately N2.5 million from eighteen fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, under the false pretence of organising a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and promising each member N2 million.”
The police said Makinde remains in custody as investigations continue, adding that efforts are underway to identify other possible victims and apprehend any accomplices linked to the alleged scheme.
