CONTROVERSIA
Portrait of David Oyedepo

Photo: Paulmiki davids · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Nigeria · Nationality Nigerian — Religion / religious business

David Oyedepo

Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “Video of a young woman accused of witchcraft being slapped, followed by civil proceedings” and “Covid-19 vaccines described as 'death warrants' and factually false claims”.

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Profile No. 0593 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of David Oyedepo

Photo: Paulmiki davids · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
12Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2021

Covid-19 vaccines described as 'death warrants' and factually false claims

No legal proceedings

Oyedepo described Covid-19 vaccines as 'death warrants', claimed they had not been tested and suggested they were compulsory in Nigeria.

Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    AFP Fact CheckNigerian pastor falsely claims Covid-19 jabs are 'death warrants' and mandatory in countryFact-checkHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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02

2007-2021

Pandora Papers: family company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

No legal proceedings

The Pandora Papers documented a family company linked to Oyedepo in the British Virgin Islands.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ICIR NigeriaPandora Papers: How Pastor David Oyedepo set up family offshore company in tax haveninvestigativeHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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03

2021

Dismissal of approximately 40 pastors: allegations of revenue targets denied by Oyedepo

No legal proceedings

A former Winners Chapel pastor claimed that approximately forty ministers had been dismissed for failing to generate sufficient income or increase revenues at their branches.

State of the evidence
Disputed
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    PunchWinners' Chapel sacked me for failing to generate enough income – PastorMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Peoples GazetteWinners Chapel sacked pastors because they're failures: OyedepoMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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04

2020

Covid-19: opposition to continued church closures while markets reopened

No legal proceedings

During the easing of Nigeria's lockdown, Oyedepo publicly challenged the continued closure of places of worship while certain markets and economic activities were allowed to reopen, arguing that the church was essential.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    TheCable'Churches can't open but people can go to markets' -- Oyedepo kicks against lockdown orderMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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05

2013-2015

Winners Chapel UK: investigation into donations closed without evidence of misappropriation

Investigation

The UK Charity Commission examined concerns about governance, conflicts of interest and the use of substantial funds within Winners Chapel.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianPreacher faces scrutiny from Charities Commission over church's financesMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Third SectorNo evidence of wrongdoing found at Christian charityMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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06

2015

Goodluck Jonathan's 2015 visit: false "gates of hell" quotation and controversy over religion and election campaigning

No legal proceedings

Following President Goodluck Jonathan's visit to Winners Chapel, a quotation claiming that Oyedepo would open the "gates of hell" against opponents of his re-election circulated widely, fuelling controversy over megachurch pastors' involvement in the campaign.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Sahara ReportersBishop Oyedepo's Church Divided Over Prayer For President JonathanMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    TheCableTHE QUESTION: Did Bishop Oyedepo really threaten to 'open the gates of hell'?MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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07

2011-2012

Video of a young woman accused of witchcraft being slapped, followed by civil proceedings

Civil / administrative proceedings

A widely circulated video showed Oyedepo slapping a kneeling young woman during a religious episode in which she was accused of witchcraft. A lawsuit seeking two billion naira was subsequently filed.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Channels TelevisionOyedepo wins N2 billion assault caseMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianChurch linked to witchcraft row applies to open UK schoolMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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08

années 2010

Private jets and prosperity theology: debate over the wealth of megachurch pastors

No legal proceedings

Oyedepo's wealth, private jets and the economic power of his church have fuelled recurring debate about prosperity theology and the use of donations in a country affected by poverty.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Council on Foreign RelationsPreaching, Power, and Private Jets in NigeriaanalysisHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianPreacher faces scrutiny from Charities Commission over church's financesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 19 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Goodluck Jonathan1 documented reference
  2. Peter Obi1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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