Sickle Cell Advocate Petitions Ebonyi Police Over Alleged Sexual Exploitation by Bishop
By Ugonma Ewa, Abakaliki
Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, a renowned sickle cell rights advocate and humanitarian, has petitioned the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, calling for an immediate investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation against Bishop Sam Ndubueze Onyeagoziri Okorie, General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral.
In her petition dated October 8, 2025 — also submitted to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council — Maduagwu accuses the detained cleric of exploiting a vulnerable sickle cell patient under the guise of spiritual counseling. According to her, the victim was emotionally and physically fragile and viewed the bishop as a father figure, only to allegedly endure prolonged sexual abuse and coercion.
“This is not only a betrayal of faith but a serious violation of trust and human dignity,” Maduagwu wrote. “The victim sought spiritual guidance and was instead subjected to systematic abuse and manipulation.”
In a striking revelation, Maduagwu, who serves as the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD) and Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home in Agulu, Anambra State, disclosed that she too had once been a victim of the same bishop.
She recounted being sexually harassed by Bishop Okorie in 1997 while a student at Victory International Bible College, Enugu, where he served as Principal.
“My personal experience with this man shook my faith to its core. I was left broken, but the Catholic Church, under the care of Bishop Gbuji of Enugu Diocese, offered me refuge and helped me rebuild my life,” she stated.
Spiritual Manipulation and Financial Exploitation
Beyond the sexual misconduct, Maduagwu's petition accuses Bishop Okorie of manipulating sickle cell patients and their families through exploitative religious practices. She alleged that the cleric capitalized on their desperation by promoting “miracle crusades” and soliciting “seed offerings” in exchange for false promises of divine healing.
“These vulnerable families are left not only spiritually devastated but financially crippled,” Maduagwu said. “This must stop.”
Maduagwu urged the Ebonyi State Police Command to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation into the allegations and to actively seek out other possible victims who may be too afraid or stigmatized to speak publicly.
“No religious title or societal status should shield anyone from the law,” she declared. “This case must serve as a wake-up call to protect people living with sickle cell and other vulnerable groups from exploitation — whether spiritual, sexual, or financial.”
Her petition has since garnered support from civil society organizations and human rights groups, who are echoing her call for justice and advocating for tighter oversight of faith-based institutions to prevent the abuse of authority.
This case is likely to spark wider national conversations about the intersection of religion, power, and vulnerability — and the urgent need for safeguarding mechanisms within religious communities.
