The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman has said he paid N4.6 million as personal income tax to the government of Edo State some weeks ago.
He made the claim in a recent viral video monitored by Church Times where he lambasted government for signing of the CAMA bill into law describing the law as a “cattle mentality act”
Johnson who was full of venom while talking to his church members said it was impossible for the Nigerian government to regulate charities because it does not support charities. ‘you can only regulate what you support.” He said.
Citing the example of the UK and US churches he said, ‘we have over 30 churches in the US and about 8 in the UK. We know what obtains there. The government in those countries give the Churches grants.
“During the pandemic, some churches in the US got close to 80 million dollars. Some got 100 million dollars. So if a government gives such money to charities it has a right to regulate them. If the government gives us money, then they can regulate us. You can’t regulate an organization you don’t support.” He fumed.
While calling on lawyers to rise up and kick against the act, he said many people have misconceptions about churches and think it’s the money that pastors make from tithe and offering that they use to survive.
He said, ‘In this church, the tithe and offering are used to buy diesel. If there is money in tithe and offering why are churches opening universities and businesses? Let me tell you how pastors make their money. They make their money as a result of their investment in the lives of people. Papa Adeboye for instance has invested a lot in people years ago when he was a lecturer at the University.
“It is those people who have become big, working in oil and gas companies who now come around to bless him. There are people God has used me to bless in the last 16 years who come around to bless me too. So if these people give me money I should not collect? He wondered.
He stressed that he and his wife pay tax to the Edo government. “I am saying it now publicly. I paid N4.6 million as personal income tax. My wife also pays tax. After they have taxed all my companies they come and I still pay tax because I don’t want their trouble. I want to see the trustee that will come and take over the church. If they appoint anybody, the person should just go and write his will because that person is gone.”
Johnson who was unrelenting in his criticism of government said the last lockdown was the most restful time for him. “During the lockdown, I did not spend the way I used to spend. We did not have to pay house rent for people or school fees. There were no people to trouble us. But the moment church was reopened, I spent N4million that same day. The government should know that we are helping people. If they want to regulate us, let them support us.”
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