Pastor Harrison Charles, founder of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, has been arrested over allegations that he was involved in what authorities described as unusual marriage practices with multiple women.
The arrest follows public accusations circulating on social media, where some individuals claimed the cleric interfered in existing marriages and, in certain cases, introduced arrangements that allegedly involved swapping spouses among congregants.
The situation emerged during a broader enforcement operation by the Anambra State Government targeting individuals accused of fraudulent religious practices. Several other clerics have recently been arraigned under the same initiative.
Confirming the arrest, Dr. Ejimofor Opara, media aide to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said the cleric was taken into custody following viral allegations.
He stated: “Pastor Harrison Charles, owner of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, was arrested by operatives of Agunechemba following a viral video containing several allegations against him.”
Opara added that the case is now under active investigation involving both the Anambra State Police Command and state government officials.
He said: “He is currently being investigated by the police, in collaboration with the Anambra State government.”
According to him, security operatives also made additional discoveries during the arrest.
“During his arrest, about eleven babies were found in his home. He claimed to be the father of these eleven babies and that they are from eleven of his wives.”
Opara further noted that the suspect reportedly gave inconsistent accounts regarding the number of spouses and children linked to him.
“He also claimed that he does not know the number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has.”
Authorities have called on members of the public with relevant information to assist ongoing investigations by reporting to the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Ken Emeakayi.
Investigations are ongoing.
