Jeremiah Fufeyin, founder and chief prophet of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (CMDM), based in Warri, Delta State, has explained why his spiritual products, ‘Water from the Pool of Bethesda’, ‘Miracle Handkerchiefs’ and ‘Anointed Oil’ might not work for some buyers.
Mr Fufeyin's comments are a response to the public outrage that has followed the launch of his faith-based products, which include a miracle soap, perfume, a spiritual shirt and mustard seeds.
Equally controversial social media critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), publicly questioned the legitimacy of the prophet's products and challenged him to provide the NAFDAC certification number of the products.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the publicity-loving prophet promoted his spiritual items during a Facebook Live session, describing the products as possessing “miraculous healing powers and spiritual significance.”
Interestingly, Mr. Fufeyin, famous for his controversial miracles, has been selling and advertising faith-based products such as “Red Sea Water” since 2019. However, the additional items have earned him criticism.
VDM, known for his activism against fraudulent practices and celebrity endorsements, denounced the Prophet's products and accused him of exploiting the poor by selling what he called “miraculous items that do not fulfill their promises.”
He condemned the prophet for monetizing what he claimed to be a God-given power that should be freely accessible to all believers.
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Criticism of the controversial activist did not stop at words. He threatened and reported Prophet Fufeyin to NAFDAC for selling “fake spiritual products.”
Except I am loved
In what appears to be a response to the backlash, CMDM's chief prophet addressed his congregation during a livestreamed Sunday service, validating why his spiritual products might not work for everyone.
The 53-year-old cleric said the key to unlocking the power of these items lies in the user's love and faith in him and his ministry.
“If you (buyers) are taking this special item, the spiritual item called handkerchief, first of all, you can also use it like I (referring to himself) am using it. But first of all, you must love me. If you don’t love me, no matter how you speak, speak in tongues; it cannot work.”
“No matter how you talk, it won't work. Number two, to believe is to love. If you don't believe or love the person, it doesn't matter [if] I give you this handkerchief so you can go and perform. I use it to wipe my face, but it’s no use, it can’t work.”
Mocking God
The prophet explained that those who mock him or doubt his spiritual gifts will find the products ineffective.
“Let me tell you a secret. When people receive a miracle, first of all, you must show love to the person. It doesn't matter [if] Now you come closer to me, you are making fun of what I am doing, the things that work for brother, sister, may not work for that brother.”
Mr. Fufeyin referred to his water from the Pool of Bethesda, saying, “If I give you water, water from the Pool of Bethesda, and you pour it on yourself, it won't work. If you drink it from morning till evening, it won't work. Why? He said, “Because you have an evil motive.
Backing up his claim with Scripture, he said, “The Bible says, the young man said, ‘Save yourself and save us.’ That means you are mocking God. That is wrong; the things of the spirit are not like that.”
Sunday's live video showed the prophet's followers enthusiastically supporting him during his defense, while netizens had mixed reactions to the video of the clergy.
Demand for 1 billion
The dispute escalated when VDM alleged that the cleric had taken legal action against him and filed a suit for one billion naira. The suit reportedly sought damages and a restraining order to silence further criticism of his spiritual products.
VDM responded defiantly, announcing on Instagram that he intended to meet Fufeyin in court.
In a dramatic gesture, he promised to bring 800 deaf people, 700 blind people and 36 women seeking the fruit of the womb into the courtroom, challenging the prophet to prove the efficacy of his miraculous products before a judge.
“I am coming to court with 800 deaf people, 700 blind people and 36 women seeking the fruit of the womb; you must use your healing water and soap to heal them all in front of the judge,” VDM said in his video post, further fueling the controversy.
Taking his challenge further, VDM ordered a batch of Prophet Fufeyin’s miracle water and experimented on it at a “number one” home for the disabled in Abuja (name withheld), which reportedly housed approximately 1,500 residents by 2023.
He documented the visit in a 24-minute video on YouTube, which showed physically challenged people using the water and other products optimistically, without any visible or live miraculous effects. This act was perceived by many as a direct challenge to Prophet Fufeyin's claims, raising questions about the legitimacy of the products.
Amid the legal battle, there was speculation that the Delta-born religious leader had forgiven VDM and dropped the lawsuit. However, VDM refuted these claims, stating in a social media post that the case remained active and unresolved.