Pastor Arrested For Allegedly Selling Fake COVID-19 ‘Anointing Oil’ To Members
A Kenyan clergyman based in London, UK, Bishop Climate Wiseman has accused of allegedly selling an ‘anointing oil’ capable of curing COVID-19 to his members.
The founder of Bishop Climate Ministries in Camberwell District, South London, United Kingdom, had sold the the substance to his congregations for £91, convincing them it has the ability to cure COVID-19.
Charges against Wiseman alleged he made false representations while trading as ‘Bishop Climate Ministries’ in person, online, and through instructional and testimonial videos, a claim the suspect denied while at the inner London Crown Court on Monday September 13.
According to the prosecutors, he made ‘untrue and misleading’ claims concerning the ability of an oil mixture marketed as ‘Divine Cleansing Oil’ or as part of a ‘Divine Plague Prevention Kit’ to ‘treat, prevent, protect against or cure’ coronavirus.
Testimonies against Wiseman said to have offered the package, containing a small bottle of oil and piece of red yarn, for £91.
However, Wiseman who appeared at the Inner London Crown Court on Monday September 13, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of fraud and two charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations between March 23 and 24.
In her defence, Nargees Choudhary, said her client (Wiseman) is not an ‘anti-vaxxer’ and had been double jabbed.
She said he is free to practise his religion and denies being ‘dishonest’ or ‘acting in a deceitful way’. Wiseman pumped his fist in the air as he left the building to cheers from around 50 supporters, dressed in red, who chanted: ‘We shall not, we shall not be moved.’
mNaija understands that during the court hearing, supporters of the Bishop were heard blowing whistles, while one member climbed on top of a phone box and led cries through a megaphone of ‘freedom’ and ‘leave us alone’.
Judge Benedict Kelleher released Wiseman on unconditional bail ahead of his trial at the same court on July 11 next year.
