Gulu. Pastor Benjamin Oteka of Gulu Faith Cathedral Centre in Gulu Town was on Wednesday arrested and detained by police on allegations of embezzling funds worth $104,000 (Shs 353,600,000 million) belonging to Favour of God Ministries, a faith-based organisation in Gulu District.
He was taken to Police headquarters in Kampala for interrogation.
The case
His arrest follows a 2013 case reported while he was still the Director of Favour of God Ministries by his wife, Ms Carol Ward, an American national and founder of the Ministries. She accused him of swindling the organisation’s money and misuse of church properties.
Troubled marriage
Pastor Oteka and Ms Ward had been married for nearly three years and were jointly overseeing the management of Favour of God Ministries. However, early this year, the marriage ended, sparking off a bitter feud.
Speaking to Daily Monitor in a telephone interview on Friday, Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, acknowledged the arrest, saying Pastor Oteka was taken to the Anti-Corruption court in Kololo to answer to the charges.
“This is not the first time Pastor Oteka is being arrested. Earlier this month, he was detained over claims of threatening Ms Ward, but was released on bail,” Mr Okema said.
Demand for release
Pastors in Gulu under their umbrella body the National Fellowship of Born-again Churches have demanded pastor Oteka’s release.
Pastor Janan Loum, the Chairperson of the Fellowship, during a meeting with Gulu pastors at Gulu Bible Community Church on Thursday, accused Ms Ward of having ill intension against pastor Oteka following their failed marriage.
He noted that before his arrest, police should have conducted thorough investigations.
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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