The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm regarding the activities of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries, led by Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin.
The agency warns that the ministry is using NAFDAC’s name to mislead the public about unregistered miracle products.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that none of the miracle products promoted by the ministry is approved by the agency.
“NAFDAC wishes to alert the public on the activities of a faith-based organization – Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries – that uses NAFDAC name to deceive the unsuspecting public,” the statement partly read.
NAFDAC said it received numerous complaints from concerned citizens regarding the ministry’s promotion of “Miracle Water” and “Miracle Soap” through social media, claiming these items could heal ailments and perform miracles, such as curing infertility.
Prophet Fufeyin allegedly told his congregation that the soap was registered with NAFDAC, prompting many people to inquire with the agency for confirmation.
The complaints also highlighted a list of additional products allegedly sold by the ministry, including “River Jordan Water,” “A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water,” and various other “miracle” waters and perfumes.
Upon receiving these complaints, NAFDAC tasked its Delta State office with the investigation s. Officials were directed to visit the ministry’s premises to verify the production of the miracle products and assess the validity of the claims.
“The Coordinator was also directed to visit the Ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the Ministry where the Miracle water and other products are produced. The State Coordinator covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for 3000 naira from the Ministries and took the pictures.
On Wednesday, August 14th 2024, the State Coordinator Delta State visited the Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service – Mr. Ogunleye Fufeyin and the Chief Security Officer. The officials denied producing Miracle and Healing Water or Soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase.
“He claimed that only the Logo and address on the label were theirs but not the product. The HOS added that they only have a pool of Bethsaida water, which is spiritual and artificial. The HOS requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO.
On August 27th 2024, a team of Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC and Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the Ministry to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection, for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team. Letters of invitation were issued to the officials to report on August 28th, but it was not honoured.
“The company instead submitted a Legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters Abuja on August 28th, 2024 and asked to come back on September 3rd, 2024, to organise their document before coming. The Agency then gave the Prophet till the 29th to report to the investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC Office Asaba for further necessary investigation.
“Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for the Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of the investigation, but they still refused to show up. On September 3rd, 2024, they forwarded some documents instead of asking for more time to report,” it explained.
In a document presented to NAFDAC on September 3rd, Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries claimed they had entered a production agreement with Globod Table Water, located in Delta State, without informing NAFDAC’s state office. NAFDAC has deemed this arrangement illegal under current regulations.
In response, NAFDAC has sealed the Globod Table Water factory for its involvement in the unregistered production and sale of the miracle water, which carried a fake NAFDAC registration number.
The agency confirmed that Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries had failed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
NAFDAC emphasized that none of the miracle products sold by the ministry are registered, warning the public against buying them. The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all products undergo scientific validation before receiving approval.
“In continuation of our investigation, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement has sealed the Globod Table Water factory to aid and abet the production, sale, and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of Fake NAFDAC Registration Number.
“At this point, it is very clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome, and unregistered miracle products.
“NAFDAC wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with NAFDAC. The public is also being advised to stop patronizing any of these Miracle products. NAFDAC is scientific organization that is guided by verifiable scientific facts before registering any product.
“In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organization with regard to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them. I want to use this opportunity to warn faith organizations against illegal production of regulated products without requisite regulatory requirements,” it added.
Prof. Adeyeye concluded by reassuring Nigerians that NAFDAC would continue to protect public health and warned other faith organizations against producing regulated products without following proper procedures.