Lagos clergyman, Rev. Chris Okotie, has issued what he called a “last warning” to tabloid journalists whom he believes are on a mission to tarnish his reputation.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ladi Ayodeji, Director, Media and Communications Strategy, Household of God Church. In the statement entitled “Character Assassins in God’s House”, Okotie lashed out at “a ring of character assassins masquerading as worshipers who regularly infiltrate our congregation to seek whom to scandalize in junk journals.” He announced that such people are now under surveillance and “should keep off or risk arrest and prosecution.”

The statement was issued in the wake of a report linking Okotie to a romantic liaison whereas the former Pop star, as reported two days ago by News Express, has clearly stated that he has no intention of marrying again after two broken marriages.

Below is the text of the statement:

“Ordinarily, no serious-minded person should dignify the discredited junk journals by responding to their usual malicious and scandalous aspersions, which they habitually cast on reputable personages and institutions to make cheap sales.

“But once in a while, it becomes imperative to refute patent falsehood deliberately peddled as ‘exclusive stories’ by scandal sheets seeking market penetration, like is the case of a soft-sell journal currently in circulation with false news of an alleged romance between a young, innocent member of our church, and our Pastor, Rev. Chris Okotie.

“The story is not only false, it is calculated to inflict psychological pain on the lady, embarrass the pastor, and cause disaffection in our congregation. We’d like to restate our earlier announcement that Rev. Okotie is not involved in any romantic relationship with any woman in or outside our church and has foreclosed any intention to remarry. Any speculation on this issue should, therefore, be regarded as a mischievous charade.

“Finally, let this be the last warning that a ring of character assassins masquerading as worshipers who regularly infiltrate our congregation to seek whom to scandalize in junk journals, are on the radar of our security operatives. They should keep off or risk arrest and prosecution.”

•Photo: Rev. Chris Okotie.

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